Evaluating the Non-Energy Benefits of Advanced Networked Lighting Controls
March 24, 2023
The Benefits
As energy efficient LED technology has become mainstream, the quantifiable gains from controlling smaller lighting loads may appear to have diminished at first glance. The truth is, while direct energy savings from controls alone represents a smaller portion of savings compared to the savings from LEDs, the use of networked lighting controls (NLC) continues to provide substantial perks. Some of these, characterized as “non-energy benefits” can enable building professionals to include anticipated savings from productivity gains, safety and security enhancements, extended equipment lifecycles, and more in their cost-benefit calculations.
In addition, NEBs have the potential to enable utility incentive program staff and others working to transform the market to incorporate an expanded set of metrics for measuring the cost-effectiveness of NLC implementation. This resource, which summarizes research commissioned by the DLC and conducted by Skumatz Economic Research Associates, Inc. (SERA), identifies NEBs specific to NLC usage and develops a methodology for assigning them quantitative values.
