Newswise — Troy, N.Y. - The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently evaluated a newly constructed building at Siena College—Rosetti Hall, a 25,000 square foot, 3-story, contemporary brick building that includes classrooms, meeting rooms, and offices. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) awarded funding to change the lighting specification from the originally specified conventional fluorescent lighting to all light emitting diodes (LEDs), designed by Engineered Solutions of Clifton Park, N.Y., and to have the project evaluated as a DELTA demonstration project by LRC. The 20-page full color, illustrated report, “LED Lighting in a Campus Building” detailing the project evaluation and findings, is available for free download from the LRC website.

Jennifer Brons, LRC research scientist and DELTA program manager, evaluated the performance of the LED systems in Rosetti Hall, including luminaires, dimmers, and occupancy sensors; measured illuminances in a typical classroom, office, meeting room, common area lounge, hallway, stairs, and restroom; and administered questionnaires to 200 faculty, staff, and students onsite.

Key findings of the DELTA report:

1) The LED system saves considerable energy (33%) compared to the fluorescent system originally specified.

2) Overall, most occupants believe their lighting is about the same as or better than similar campus spaces.

3) The LED lighting is indistinguishable from conventional fluorescent lighting due to shielding with opal diffusers and a neutral (4000K) color temperature.

The LRC evaluation highlights some guidelines and recommendations to operate the LED systems in Rosetti Hall most effectively:

1) Integral occupancy sensors -Time delay in offices and meeting rooms should be lengthened to reduce complaints of false-off. -When luminaires with integral PIR sensors are used in restrooms, the luminaire closest to the door should be oriented so that it “sees” movement as soon as the occupant enters the space. -The auto-on feature is helpful in public spaces without a wall switch, such as restrooms and staircases, but may lead to occupant confusion and energy waste in public spaces that also have switches,such as meeting rooms and utility rooms. 2) Dimmers and switches -While questionnaire results showed that instructors preferred downlighting, energy monitoring showed that both uplight and downlight modes were used in the classrooms.-Dimmers for LEDs should be specified that can accommodate the size of the load; one type of dimmer at this site did not dim very low in spaces with small loads. A mockup can confirm satisfactory operation of LEDs with proposed dimmers. -Controls for multiple layers of light should be clustered and labeled, or use an integrated scene controller. -Switches and dimmer controls may be confusing and ineffective in public spaces such as hallways and lounges; controls that provide scheduled turn-on or sweep-off may be more useful in these spaces.

Other recent DELTA reports include Glazing with Integral Honeycomb Baffles used in skylights at the Parrish Art Museum, and two evaluations at the new campus of the New York City Police Academy: Alternative Technologies for Construction Lighting and LEDs for Construction Lighting.

Since 1994, the DELTA program, which stands for Demonstration and Evaluation of Lighting Technologies and Applications, has produced more than 42 case studies at sites ranging from schools to office buildings to senior housing, along with numerous outdoor locations. The reports are written for lighting specifiers, building managers, architects, and others who design and install lighting, and are available free to the public on the LRC website.

About the Lighting Research CenterThe Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the world's leading center for lighting research and education. Established in 1988 by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the LRC has been pioneering research in energy and the environment, light and health, transportation lighting and safety, and solid-state lighting for more than 25 years. In 1990, the LRC became the first university research center to offer graduate degrees in lighting and today the LRC offers both a M.S. in lighting as well as a Ph.D. to educate future leaders in lighting. Internationally recognized as the preeminent source for objective information on all aspects of lighting technology and application, LRC researchers conduct independent, third-party testing of lighting products in the LRC's state of the art photometric laboratories, the only university lighting laboratories accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP Lab Code: 200480-0). LRC researchers are continuously working to develop new and better ways to measure the value of light and lighting systems, such as the effect of light on human health. The LRC believes that by accurately matching the lighting technology and application to the needs of the end user, it is possible to design lighting that benefits both society and the environment.

About NYSERDANYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975. For more information about NYSERDA, visit http://nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram.

Other Link: LED Lighting in a Campus Building