The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that the United States has about 5.9 million commercial buildings. These buildings cover nearly 97 billion square feet of space. They are highly energy-intensive, consuming around 6.8 quadrillion British thermal units (BTUs), or roughly 1.99 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). To put that into perspective, the average U.S. household uses about 10,500 kWh per year. This means the energy used by commercial buildings could power about 647 billion homes—more than 1,800 times the U.S. population of 354.68 million. Notably, 17% of this energy consumption comes from lighting alone.
Advancements in LED Lighting Technology
Over the past decade, LED lighting technology has undergone significant advancements. These include improvements in lumen output, integration with advanced controls, and enhanced durability. In many cases, upgrading to LED lighting can lead to a reduction in energy consumption of up to 75%.
The Environmental Impact and the Role of Sustainability
As the second-largest emitter of CO2 globally, the U.S. faces a significant environmental challenge but also holds the potential for substantial positive change. The impact of CO2 emissions on climate change is well-known, and many corporations and organizations are now prioritizing sustainability in their operations. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has recognized several of these efforts, particularly through its Integrated Lighting Systems campaign. This year, the DOE honored 18 organizations for their Excellence in Integrated Lighting Systems.
DOE’s Integrated Lighting Campaign: A Resource for Innovation
The DOE’s Integrated Lighting Campaign serves as a resource for integrating lighting controls and recognizing innovative lighting installations. Among this year’s winners are the New York Public Library (NYPL) and Shiseido America, projects in which Big Shine Energy played a key role. http://Integrated Lighting Campaign (energy.gov)
Big Shine Energy’s Contributions to Award-Winning Projects
For Shiseido America, Big Shine Energy integrated dimming motion sensor controls into 228 High Bay fixtures. These controls ensure safety and optimal performance by dimming the lights to 30% when no occupants are detected, with standby dimming set at 80%, resulting in an additional 30% energy savings.
At the New York Public Library, Big Shine Energy replaced single-lamp fluorescent fixtures with linear LEDs and integrated controls across seven stories of bookstacks located beneath the building’s main reading room. These bookstacks, not open to the public and used solely by library staff, presented an ideal opportunity to utilize occupancy controls. The project achieved an estimated annual energy consumption reduction of 1.1 million kWh.
Take the Next Step in Your Sustainability Journey
Ready to take the next step in your sustainability journey? Partner with Big Shine Energy to explore how advanced LED lighting solutions can transform your commercial space while reducing your carbon footprint. Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve your energy efficiency goals and make a positive impact on the environment.
RESOURCES
Convert Btu to kWh – Conversion of Measurement Units (convertunits.com)
