How can I maximise energy savings of the installed lighting system?

Lamps and lighting systems deteriorate and their light output depreciates over time. The lighting output of the system also progressively decreases due to accumulation of dirt on lamps, reflectors, lenses and room surfaces. Therefore, the performance of any lighting installation can be compromised without regular maintenance including simple tasks, such as cleaning luminaires and especially lenses, reflectors and panel diffusers.

In designing systems, a suitable maintenance factor should be included to ensure that the lighting levels are maintained over their lifetimes. Where previously lamp and ballast replacements would need to be factored into the maintenance regime, LEDs reduce frequency of the former but both lamps and ballasts may still need changing in the long term. Information such as the lamps' depreciation, or lumen maintenance life, is useful when calculating a lighting installation's maintenance schedule and whole life costs. For more information on lamp depreciation, see the Estimate the capital costs and the operational costs of your lighting project card.