A lighting audit is a vital step in establishing which lighting fixtures require updating or replacing. If you live in Texas, you may opt to hire a professional to conduct the audit for you, but this might cost you a dime if you’re running low on finances. Consequently, it is cheaper to conduct the audit yourself.
Conducting a lighting audit can help you employ cost-effective changes that can benefit your property and give you a clear picture of the expected costs and the projected return on investment.
As a guide, here are some basic steps to help you perform a DIY lighting audit in Texas.
1. Get a Light Meter
Our eyesight is usually quite subjective, so it is more appropriate to bank on scientific measurements instead of personal preference. Light meters are designed to measure illumination in metric unit, foot-candles, or lux, which are the standard measurements in the U.S.
2. Record the Condition of Lighting Fixtures
If you want to perform a meaningful and successful DIY lighting audit in Texas, you should have a lighting audit checklist. You can use the checklist to collect fixture information and use that information to calculate the annual energy expenses for your fixtures. The basic calculations you will perform here include things like the quantity, burn hours, input watts, as well as additional notes like wiring, controls, window skylights, special hours, and condition of poles.
3. Determine the Type of Activity that is performed in Each Area of your Premises
Some areas in your property or facility require more lighting than others. In fact, Occupational Safety and Health Administration has set a mandatory minimum lighting for specific activities. You will be able to figure out the amount of lighting each area requires based on the type of work or activity that is performed there.
4. Measure Illumination Levels based on this Scale
Search for the CCOHS recommendations and use the recommendations to measure light levels. For spaces where the working materials are large or high contrast, illumination should measure approximately between 18 and 46 lumens per square foot (lm/ft2). In case the visual requirements involve small items or medium contrast, illumination should measure between 46 and 93 lm/ft2, and for very small items or extremely low contrast, illumination should be set between 93 and 185 lm/ft2.
AS you can see, conducting a DIY lighting audit should not be much of a hassle if you know what you are doing. With these basic steps, you can perform a fairly accurate and meaningful lighting audit on your premises or property.
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