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Other strategies to help maximize the benefits in the electric lighting system include using occupancy sensors and timers alongside the above electric lighting controls.
Occupancy sensors automatically turn lights on when a room is occupied and off when a room is vacant. Reported savings are in the 10 to 50 percent range. Timers can be scheduled to turn lamps off on a set schedule. Both controls can be extremely cost effective.

For a total light management system, Lutron Electronics Co. offers a next generation of Quantum which has the capability to reduce a building's lighting electricity usage by 60 percent or more.

Quantum automatically dims or switches all electric lighting, and controls daylight using automated window shades. The system also manages, monitors, and reports on all the lighting usage in a building for optimal energy performance and productivity while minimizing maintenance and operating costs.

When The New York Times Co. wanted to reduce the energy consumption in their new Manhattan headquarters, they chose Lutron's Quantum total light management system that allowed them to use 70 percent less energy for lighting which resulted in a savings of $315,100 per year at New York City electric rates. This also meant the prevention of 1,250 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year.

"We designed our building to use 1.28W per square foot of lighting power. With Quantum, it's only using 0.38 — that's 70 percent less," said Glenn Hughes, Director of Construction for The New York Times Co. during the design, installation and commissioning of The New York Times Building. "The energy usage savings is stunning."

For more information about the New York Times Building project (including a detailed case study), please visit: www.lutron.com/nyt.