Control Fixtures Efficiently
The ability to turn lights off at individual activity areas is one of the major efficiency advantages of task lighting. Be sure to exploit this advantage by using controls that minimize the duration of operation within each task area. Refer to Subsections 9.4 and 9.5 for control devices. Also, see Measure 9.6.4, in this Subsection, for efficient control circuiting.
Do Not Duplicate Lighting!
Task lighting saves energy only if it displaces other lighting. It makes no sense to add task lighting to area lighting. Doing so is likely to increase energy consumption, rather than reduce it. Eliminate area lighting when you install task lighting.
Accommodate Each Mode of Space Usage
If the activities in the space change on a predictable basis, provide lighting that is efficient for each mode of space usage, along with a separate control for each lighting function. This is covered by Measure 9.6.3. Task lighting is likely to be inadequate for auxiliary functions, such as transit and cleaning. If you are retrofitting task lighting in an existing facility, it may be appropriate to leave some of the original area lighting to serve these functions.
Rehearse Before You Perform
As we said at the beginning, the methods of effective task lighting have not yet found their way into the mainstream of contemporary lighting design. You will have to be a pioneer to exploit this powerful method. Before you commit to actual installations, design task lighting for a variety of sample situations in detail. Practice dealing with all possible considerations, such as the presence of daylight and the glare from it, uncertainly in work station locations, and so forth. Because task lighting may be affected by virtually every other aspect of lighting design, review all the Measures of Section 9 in terms of their potential significance to task lighting.
As a start, think how you would redesign the lighting in the spaces shown in Figures 2 through 5. Then, go out and practice redesigning as many inefficient lighting installations as you can find. Look for an opportunity to actually test the concepts we have discussed here. Start small. Build on your successes. If you are successful, tell others how you did it.