Improving lighting energy efficiency through user response
Niko Gentile
Abstract
Technological advances have increased the energy performance of integrated daylighting and lighting systems to unprecedented levels. The shift to LED technologies, innovative shadings, and advanced lighting and shading controls promises a dramatic reduction in energy use for lighting. Work will continue to save more energy with technological solutions, but additional savings can be attained by understanding the complexity of human behaviour and by designing systems in such a way that they can accommodate energy-saving behaviour. This article reviews behaviour aimed at saving energy used for lighting. Four categories of behaviour are identified, concerning extent and speed of dimming, heuristics, design of the interface, and information/feedback strategies. The review suggests that lighting use can be halved by introducing simple strategies to existing and future systems, but the energy saving potential comes with low ecological validity. A multidisciplinary approach is required to increase the robustness of findings.