Schools learn the energy benefits of lighting control

Published: August 2007

Typical of many new schools throughout England which are achieving major reductions in electricity consumption using Ex-or lighting controls is Lakeside Primary School in Derby.

To reduce the energy used by lighting in new school buildings, Ex-or lighting-control systems are being installed in schools throughout England. Lighting can account for up to half the electricity consumption of a typical school, and a lighting-control system can halve this consumption — reducing a school’s overall energy use by a quarter.

Building-services consultants Pick Everard recently completed the design of all the lights for a major education PFI project for five schools, involving luminaires with a value of £380 000 supplied by Concord:marlin. Individual schools include Lakeside Primary School and Da Vinci Community College in Derby, where the lighting is controlled by Ex-Or LightSpot presence-detecting controls.

Ex-Or has also installed lighting-management systems throughout the West London Academy, where it is estimated that lighting control is reducing the electrical load by 45%.

Some local authorities have benefited from Ex-Or lighting controls for some time. Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council installed Ex-Or systems in 30 schools, reducing electricity bills by £27 000 a year.

Telford & Wrekin Council has installed controls in three schools and recouped the cost of installation in less than five years.