Critical factors in minimizing lighting energy

Abstract

In Hong Kong, the amount of energy consumption by various types of buildings is escalating. There has been a global trend towards saving energy with the aim of achieving a more sustainable environment, through the adoption of different energy-reduction options. Various methodologies to better minimize energy usage have been introduced by both the private sector and the local government. In this article, we focus on exploring the performance of an essential building services design/device, namely the electronic ballast, in mitigating energy consumption through practical experimentation, accounting techniques, such as internal rate of return, total life cycle costs and net present value, and case studies to verify the practicality of employing these energy-reduction measures. Practical application – Through this study and experimentation, more appropriate technical analyses, with relevant value engineering techniques, could be identified to help investigate the lighting energy mitigation methods, which would further improve the practices of modern building services/management professionals for better sustainability and environmental protection for the world at large.

Keywords:

• Electronic ballast
• energy consumption/reduction
• internal rate of return
• power quality
• total life cycle costs