How to Buy Lighting Solutions

Prior to investing in any lighting solution, the buyer must establish a benchmark of functional requirements for system performance.   Otherwise, the decision may lead to purchasing a solution which will be seen as inadequate and, perhaps, even be removed later in order to bring the conditions back to an acceptable level.  Since most lighting systems are purchased infrequently, established functional requirements are rarely right at hand.

Step 1 When evaluating any lighting project, the buyer must consider no less than four factors for system performance:

• Relative Light Output (Color Rendering, Delivered Foot-Candles {not lumens.}, Shadows)
• Quality (Flexibility, Installation considerations, Durability, Component protection, Weight, Thermal efficiency, Support)
• Financial (Up-Front Cost, Operating Cost, Return on Investment, Tax implications, Lead time, Installation cost which vary from fixture to fixture, Re-lamping cost)
• Waste reduction (Energy, pollution, demand controls)

Failing to recognize these four factors may lead the buyer to pay for a benefit for which he/she does not need, or alternatively, forgo a benefit that would reduce long-term cost and increase flexibility.

Arriving at a specific set of functional requirements is the first step in knowing whether one solution is better than an alternative.  A good solution balances the four factors and meets each of the requirements without delivering too much of one while sacrificing another.

For example, most people want more light but won’t pay incrementally to get it.  If the light requirement is for 50 foot-candles (FC) of delivered light at the work plane, and a solution delivers 60 FC, the buyer generally will not pay extra to get the additional light.  The optimal solution will deliver the desired foot-candle requirement with the least amount of electricity yielding the highest long-term financial performance.

The quality factor, which is often overlooked in many purchases, must be defined.  Quality is not always defined in terms of workmanship.  Portability, expandability, interchangeable parts, non-proprietary, or standard components, installation cost, among other considerations must be thought through carefully.  A low cost system, may likely rust and maintenance cost perform poorly over time, or shorten electronics life due to excessive heat buildup.  Look for U-L Portable Luminaire status marked on the fixture.  This certification means that each and every fixture was Hipot tested (Performs AC Dielectric and Insulation Resistance tests), is lightweight, and has a detachable cord at the fixture side.  Portable Luminaires cost less to install and maintain, have less stringent National Electric Code restrictions for mounting, hanging, and wiring, and provide potentially more income tax benefits.

At the very least, the buyer should establish the following functional criteria before proceeding to STEP 2

• Minimum average Foot-candle for each area of the facility.
• Maximum payback period for the investment.
• Minimum energy waste reduction, sometimes “foot-candles per watt” is used
• Minimum performance levels of the various quality issues

After these requirements are documented, the buyer should test the various solutions since one solution may meet some of the requirements, but fail others.

Step 2 The purpose for the system field test is to answer two primary questions:

• Will the project actually deliver on thee performance claims, i.e. better light, ease of installation, and other functional requirement;  and
• Will the project actually deliver the return to justify the investment?

In terms of item 1, your lighting representative will assist you in seeking a location for the light test.  All the various solutions should be evaluated in identical conditions.  Light reflectance and porosity of obstructions will have an effect on foot-candles delivered.  Since light meters are not calibrated the same, one light meter must be used to measure foot-candles for each system.  Ocular or “see-ability.” While subjective must be documented in such a way that a system provider can adjust its system to “fine-tune” his/her solution.  Many times a buyer will choose a system based on subjective criteria, not recognizing that the other system provider could deliver the same “see-ability” by fine-tuning the lamp, ballast, or reflector system.

A utility grade energy meter must be used to measure energy consumption over a period of time.  Amp meters and a calculator are not sufficient and can be inaccurate as those devices only measure at single points of time rather than logging data over a period of time.  High quality companies will provide a utility grade energy meter to not only provide a common measurement platform for energy savings, but also log emission reduction for emission registration at the State and Federal level.  These credits can be worth more than the energy savings.  If your system provider does not have a utility grade meter, look for one who does.  Many claims are made in the lighting industry that cannot be backed up by facts.  Do your homework and seek out reputable companies with a history of doing business with nationally recognized companies.