Upgrading to LED lighting with Bi-Level controls, exemplified by Big Shine LED's ALMA series, provides a simple and energy-efficient solution for cost reduction, especially in intermittently used spaces. While IoT and Smart Lighting Controls offer exciting possibilities, Bi-Level Lighting Control stands out as a practical and uncomplicated choice for substantial energy savings without a significant investment.
We know that one of the fastest and easiest ways to cut costs in our facilities is to upgrade to LED Lighting. We probably also know that adding lighting controls can save us even more money, a lot more depending on how our spaces are being used. However, if planning for adding controls is giving us a headache, we have to ask: “is there a simple way to take advantage of lighting controls? What if we don’t have time to look at a bunch of complicated options?”
Happily, the answer to this is yes! One of the simplest lighting control strategies is called “Bi-Level” lighting controls. Bi-Level lighting simply means that each LED fixture will operate at a low light level until an occupancy sensor detects that someone has entered the space. As soon as this happens, the light level increases to full or nearly full output. The space is never dark, which is important for security and safety, but the energy savings can be significant. Often Bi-Level controls can be built into the fixture, in which case there is no need for additional wiring, and the low and high levels can be pre-set as desired during fixture installation.
An ideal use for Bi-Level LED fixtures is to light common areas, such as hallways and stairwells, that are used intermittently. How much energy can be saved? Suppose a stairway is occupied 20% of the time. Bi-level lighting is typically set with a delay before the lighting level dims after the occupancy sensor stops detecting a person in the detection zone. Depending on usage patterns and the delay time which was preset, the fixture may operate at full level for, say 30% of the time and thus will be dimmed for 70% of the time. Replacing a 64W fluorescent fixture with a 40W Bi-Level LED will save 38% at full output, but with the Bi-Level function the savings can increase to about 70%. Bi-Level lighting is also an alternative to On-Off occupancy controls for warehouses or other spaces where security cameras need a minimum level of lighting to function.
Big Shine LED’s ALMA series is a great example of super-simple bi-level LED lighting. Alma has an integral microwave sensor for occupancy control, and also includes a built-in photocell which automatically dims the fixture in proportion to the ambient light level – perfect for corridors or stairwells which have natural light during daylight hours. ALMA can be pre-set to a power level during installation and is also programmable using a Zigbee/Bluetooth connection. An additional feature is that the ALMA color temperature is also switch settable to 3000K, 4000K or 5000K. Big Shine Energy’s photometric team can determine the fixture power level necessary to meet the emergency lighting requirements of NFPA 101 so we don’t have to research this ourselves.
The IoT and Smart Lighting Controls options today are very exciting, and open up almost unlimited modes of scheduling, control, monitoring and remote programming, but implementing these systems is a significant investment in planning, training and commissioning. If we’re not ready to go all-in on these new technologies, Bi-Level Lighting Control may be the perfect choice to get energy savings that are both significant and pain-free.
