Conducting your own light audit

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Just occasionally we do a technical blog and this is our latest. But, as with all things, we balance out the need for a technical piece with the end result - the reason for a light audit has to be so that your lights a) perform better and b) make financial sense.

So how do you audit your commercial lighting? There are a few, easy to follow stages...

Specify the rooms you are going to consider

List all the areas within your workspace that you are going to include. Ideally, it should be your entire building or portfolio - to have a real effect and make it worthwhile. Don't forget to include your outside space too - signage, building lights, walkways and car parks. A spreadsheet is useful for recording this level of detail. You can also include or annotate a floor plan, depending on the level of detail you are looking to include.

Decide what you want to measure

  • Do you want to reduce your bills?
  • Do you want to improve the functionality of your lighting?
  • Do you want to know what output you are getting from your existing installations?
  • Do you want to use lighting to improve the look of the space? Is there an aesthetic requirement?
  • Do you want to be more environmentally-friendly?

Gather together all the information you have

  • Pull together all your latest bills.
  • Talk to your team about the effectiveness of the lighting in the areas they work in.
  • Note all the feedback and suggestions.
  • Understand the level of lighting you have and the kind of lighting you need.
  • Put together a list of all your existing fittings, together with the information you have on each one. State the location and position of the light by area and its use. For example - Main entrance porch area, overhead light, used to show we are open for business and light the way for customers.
  • Then continue this with more detail so you can identify the light and its energy type. For example - Main entrance porch area, overhead light, used to show we are open for business and show customers the way in. Copper lantern, 3 x 600-800 lumens LED, warm white, dimmable.
  • Finish the table with a summary of the approximate operating hours of each fitting.

You now know what you have - it's time to make it better.

Once you have all your data, take some photos

This is an optional stage but photos really make you look objectively at a space. For some reason you see it differently and puts some space between you and the area you are considering. It's a technique used by anyone visualising a space such as an interior designer or artist. It works for lighting assessments too.

Measure the light reach

Look at the quality and quantity of each light installation. Consider the surface area you need to be illuminated and assess how far the existing light meets this. Use an actual measuring device such as a tape measure or a more sophisticated digital device if you have one. Record this on your spreadsheet and note any areas where there is a disparity of too much or too little light. From this you can work out if you need to increase or change the existing supply or if a new or additional installation is required. Repeat this assessment for every fitting in your plan.

Consider the colour of your lighting

How effective is the colour of your light? Is it warm when cool would be more effective? You can temporarily change your light bulb to assess the difference - again using photos for an objective viewpoint. If you have a power meter or light meter, these will help you consider the light and colour. Colour charts are also available for you to compare what you have with what would work better.

Compare your findings with industry standards

These are available from a variety of sources online, including planning commissions.

Consider the cost of your lights

If you still have any incandescent bulbs, it is time to change them. Make sure you have the very best, energy efficient bulbs in place as the long-term saving is more than worth the investment anthem now. Not only will you save money but you will also save yourself lots of maintenance in changing them. Any business that has used old fashioned spotlights or recessed ceiling lights will appreciate this!

Finalise your findings

Draw up a summary of your findings in the very last column of your audit. Is each light fitting satisfactory? Does it need improvements? Does it need changing? Would it benefit from further lighting and so on until you are content with the overall conclusions.

If you need a professional audit - or help with any of these points - please talk to us.