Develop your furniture layout and space design with sensors in mind. For example, if a space is divided by half-height partitions that block sunlight for occupants beyond, it makes sense to locate the daylight sensor on the daylit side of the partition. 

For maximum efficiency, develop a lighting layout that ties a daylight sensor to the fixtures closest to windows and another sensor to those deeper into the space. 

Add daylight sensors to increase the percentage connected to the lighting load to 75% to claim an exemplary performance point.

Calculate the connected power load and the power load connected to controls to make sure that daylight sensors are connected to at least 50% of the load.

Have a daylight sensor control only the lights in a contiguous space that has uniform daylighting characteristics and a single solar exposure.  

Make sure that the electrical contractor and controls contractor are working with the manufacturer to design and install daylight sensors and other lighting controls according to manufacturer’s recommendations. 

Strategy 2: Daylight controls for 50% of lighting load

Installing additional sensor controls can make up a big portion of an electrical subcontractor’s fee, so make sure your contractor understands the credit requirements when providing a price quote and especially when installing your controls. 

All Strategies

Sensors can reduce the lighting energy use of infrequently used spaces by more than 50%. Places like bathrooms, pantries, and storage areas do not need constant lighting and automatic devices can save a lot of energy. Infrequently used stairways and hallways need only minimum safety-oriented lighting and should have occupancy sensors installed to avoid wasting energy when they are unoccupied.