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Building an energy-efficient home office

Journal Article · · Home Energy; (United States)
OSTI ID:6476511
 [1]
  1. Geltz Communications, Monrovia, CA (United States)

The design features a multiple switching scheme that highlights each of the home office functions: mood or low level lightning for the entrance and exit, gallery lights which highlight framed work samples for show and tell or presentation, and conference table lighting which does not interfere with contrast needed for other tasks. There's also an occupancy sensor by the office entrance which controls the entire lighting circuit. With a mix of compact fluorescent and halogen lamps, the lighting system uses about one-third as much energy as a [open quotes]conventional[close quotes] design, yet puts out roughly the same amount of light. It includes 12-20W halogen bulbs which, with their 5W ballasts, draw only 25W each, for a total of 300W. Similarly, instead of 75W or 100W incandescents the design features two 13W compact fluorescent lamps inside of the wall sconces. The total lighting system should use 490W, whereas an equivalent incandescent system might draw 1,535W. With all of the lights in the office turned on, the design should use 2.45 W/ft[sup 2]. A comparable incandescent design would draw 7.7 W/ft[sup 2]-which is quite high. Although the added cost of installing energy-efficient fixtures and lamps rather than conventional assemblies was about $750 (this estimate is based on average prices) the improved fixtures and lamps will pay for themselves through energy savings and significantly longer lamp life. The energy-efficient lighting design will likely pay for itself within 18 months. This assumes that the lighting system is sued for 50 hours a week and that all lights are on. However, it should be noted that with the motion sensor and multiple zone task switching, the system seldom draws its full load.

OSTI ID:
6476511
Journal Information:
Home Energy; (United States), Journal Name: Home Energy; (United States) Vol. 10:3; ISSN 0896-9442; ISSN HOENE2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English