Occupancy sensors may be the easiest and most cost-effective way to satisfy interior lighting control requirements in buildings that do not currently have automatic controls for perimeter spaces.
Integration of automated controls into interior lighting systems may require a range of low-to-moderate investment depending on the level of implementation required. However, installation of automatic controls typically gives a favorable payback period of 2–4 years and energy savings of up to 40%–50%.
Interior lighting that does not have a direct line of sight to the building envelope is exempt from the credit. Three sets of exemption guidelines are detailed in the LEED Reference Guide which explain how to measure the distance and angle of lighting fixtures from windows to determine if any of your fixtures may be excluded.
If interior lighting systems are not controlled automatically, assess the level of effort required to integrate automatic controls into the interior lighting system.
If you already use automatic interior lighting controls in your building:
Confirm that the schedule of operations is set to automatically turn off non-emergency fixtures in each interior lighting zone for the requisite 2,190 hours per year—or 50% of annual nighttime hours.
Develop a preventive maintenance program to regularly inspect and adjust the automatic controls to ensure proper operation.
For multi-unit buildings, it may be most cost-effective for project teams to buy testing equipment, receive training, and perform the blower door testing in-house.
