The requirements of this credit—providing lighting controls for at least 50% of occupants—are not technically difficult to achieve. Virtually all existing buildings have at least two light settings in group spaces, and task lighting is common, easy, and affordable

Documentation may be time-consuming

You will need to conduct a thorough inventory of lighting controls to verify compliance. This documentation effort is doable, but can become tedious and time-consuming for large buildings with many different types of spaces or multiple tenants. 

Energy savings and improved comfort

Adding lighting controls is a great strategy for reducing energy consumption and improving occupant comfort and productivity. They allow occupants to adjust lighting levels to their specific needs, rather than relying on a broadly over-lit space. 

However, simply meeting this credit’s requirements does not ensure that you’ll meet either of those objectives. To truly achieve these outcomes, plan to go beyond the minimum requirements of this credit and provide lighting controls that provide flexibility and comfort to specific conditions, that address appropriate visual tasks, and that smoothly integrate the electric lighting system with available daylight. 

Consider these questions when approaching this credit

• What types of spaces are in the building? Clearly identify which spaces are considered individual workstations and which are multi-occupant spaces.
• Did the project already earn the credit related to lighting control under LEED NC or LEED for Schools? If so, follow the D+C streamlined path.
• Is information available on original lighting design and controls? Who maintains and upgrades the building’s lighting systems? Who currently furnishes task lighting—building owner, tenant, individual occupants? Gathering data on existing controls either from  the original design or from records on lighting upgrades and improvements can help inform the start of an inventory.
• How will data be collected and who will collect it? How much information on lighting controls can be collected through an energy audit? Will this credit require an occupant survey or a building walkthrough? 
• What type of lighting controls will improve both occupant comfort and energy performance? What are the critical visual tasks, such as reading, computer work, meetings, and presentations, in each type of space?
• Do lighting efficiency improvements have the potential to significantly contribute to the building’s energy performance rating under EAp2 and EAc1? If so, can lighting control upgrades be made before or during the project’s 12-month performance period for recording energy data in order to contribute to those credits?