Lighting controls offer many benefits to customers, including not only significant energy and cost savings, but also an increase in overall lighting performance. Designing and commissioning control systems has also become more flexible, allowing adjustments to individual fixtures, or groups of fixtures, at any time.
Energy Trust offers incentives for two types of control systems: networked lighting controls (NLC) and luminaire level lighting controls (LLLC).
Networked Lighting Controls (NLC)
NLC systems utilize sensors that are added to spaces to control one or multiple luminaires. These sensors can be ceiling or wall mounted, or a desktop unit. There are also network interfaces that are remotely mounted, which makes design a critical step. NLC systems may be a custom option in the downstream offer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Equipment and designs are more familiar and comfortable for many suppliers and installers, particularly wired solutions. | Higher installation and design costs for wiring can offset equipment cost savings, particularly in retrofits. |
| Initial equipment cost is typically lower, using zoned power pack controllers and sensors to deliver comparable savings in the right applications. | Additional parts and pieces can complicate shipping and purchasing, as well as configuration and programming. |
| NLC is generally well suited for larger-scale, more complex and higher throughput solutions with centralized control, data collection/reporting, and integration. |
Luminaire Level Lighting Controls (LLLC)
LLLC is a type of NLC system in which the sensors and interfaces are imbedded directly into each luminaire. This allows for easy design and installation and creates a future-proof configuration, where changes are easily made with an app. LLLC systems are qualified in the midstream offer and are a prescriptive option in the downstream offer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easier, quicker, and cheaper to design and install, particularly in retrofit projects with wireless connections. | Initial cost is often higher, with individual controllers and sensors added to every fixture. |
| Simpler and quicker out-of-the-box setup/programming with a streamlined app and configuration experience. | Capabilities and bandwidth can be limited, particularly if more advanced controls and features are desired. |
| Granular control and sensing offer higher average savings and flexibility. |
Incentives
The controls described allow for even greater energy and cost savings than standalone lighting and are a natural solution for increased incentive levels. New fixture measures are mostly limited to those utilizing NLCs and LLLCs, so knowledge of these systems is key.
| Midstream | Downstream | |
|---|---|---|
| Networked Lighting Controls (NLC) | Not qualified | Custom (subject to verification) |
| Luminaire Level Lighting Controls (LLLC) | Qualified | Qualified |
Lighting Performance and Quality
As a trade ally, you can increase your value for customers by offering them advanced lighting capabilities, such as:
- High end trim that allows light level control of individual fixtures or groups of fixtures.
- Daylighting controls providing dimming in response to available natural light conditions.
- Futureproofing through the ability to make changes due to updated space configurations and new light level needs.
Lighting controls are now much more cost effective, flexible, and easy to design and install than in the past. It has never been easier to combine energy efficiency with visual comfort.
If you have questions or want to learn more about lighting controls, please contact Energy Trust’s business lighting team at lighting@energytrust.org.