Full Spectrum Lighting
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Annual Cost of Lighting
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Full Spectrum Lighting

Annual Cost of Lighting
Initial Expenses and Operating Costs

Annual Cost of Lighting
Initial Expenses and Operating Costs

Choosing a lighting system on installation costs may not provide the most economical system to operate in the long run.

Over the life of the lighting system, the energy cost will represent the greater portion of the overall owning and operating costs. Using the most efficient light source will usually result in the lowest overall system cost.

The Annual Cost of Lighting:
The cost of the lamps you use.
The cost of electricity it takes to light those lamps.
The costs of maintenance and labor.
The cost of the lamps you use.

These days, energy, in the form of electricity is by far the largest portion of your lighting expenses after installation. Obviously, if you can reduce your energy consumption, you can reduce your costs. The question is - how can you reduce these costs and maintain a good lighting system?

The answer is switch to energy-efficient lamps - lamps that produce nearly the same levels of light output (lumens) as their conventional counterparts, but consume considerly less energy doing so.

Comparison of Light Efficiency

Just as an automobile's fuel efficiency is measured in miles per gallon, lamp efficiency is measured in terms of lumens per watt - in other words, the amount of light produced for each watt of electrical power consumed. In some cases, different types of the same kind of lamp may vary in efficiency because of their construction. Replacing one lamp with another that produces more lumens per watt can provide you with the same amount of light for less money.

Where color is not a factor; High Pressure Sodium lamps will be the most efficient light source to use. High Pressure Sodium lamps produce more lumens per watt than Metal Halide lamps. The 400W High Pressure Sodium lamp emits 140 lumens per watt, compared to the 125 lumens per watt by a 400W Metal Halide lamp.

For energy-saving re-lighting, a simple payback analysis can be preformed by dividing the cost of the fixture by the energy saved over a year's time.

                             Incandescent Percent Mean Lumens

Mean lumens are measured at rated volts after 500 hours, 1000 hours and 3000 hours. Values are shown in the table for regular voltage lamps 50W-1500W and high voltage lamps 25W-1500W.

How Your Lighting Dollar Is Spent

Cost of Lamp-Usually this cost averages 10% or less of the total lighting dollar.
Light Output-The important factor to consider is maintained lumen output throughout lamp life.
Cost of Electrical Energy-Under average conditions this cost represents the largest portion of the lighting dollar. As an example, when a consumer pays $.10 per kilowatt hour and burns lamps 10 hours a day for 300 days during the year, the cost of electricity for a 100 watt lamp would be $30.00.
Lamp Life-Since lamps can be obtained in a wide range of life ratings, the correct life to use is dependant upon such factors as light output, accessibility and maintenance costs.
Maintenance Cost-Rapidly rising labor costs make this factor frequently exceed 20% of the lighting dollar.
Intangible Costs-The vital problems of safety, morale, and the loss of production, which cannot be accurately calculated, are frequently the most important cost factors.
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Choosing a lighting system on installation costs may not provide the most economical system to operate in the long run.

Over the life of the lighting system, the energy cost will represent the greater portion of the overall owning and operating costs. Using the most efficient light source will usually result in the lowest overall system cost.

The Annual Cost of Lighting:
The cost of the lamps you use.
The cost of electricity it takes to light those lamps.
The costs of maintenance and labor.
The cost of the lamps you use.

These days, energy, in the form of electricity is by far the largest portion of your lighting expenses after installation. Obviously, if you can reduce your energy consumption, you can reduce your costs. The question is - how can you reduce these costs and maintain a good lighting system?

The answer is switch to energy-efficient lamps - lamps that produce nearly the same levels of light output (lumens) as their conventional counterparts, but consume considerly less energy doing so.

Comparison of Light Efficiency

Just as an automobile's fuel efficiency is measured in miles per gallon, lamp efficiency is measured in terms of lumens per watt - in other words, the amount of light produced for each watt of electrical power consumed. In some cases, different types of the same kind of lamp may vary in efficiency because of their construction. Replacing one lamp with another that produces more lumens per watt can provide you with the same amount of light for less money.

Where color is not a factor; High Pressure Sodium lamps will be the most efficient light source to use. High Pressure Sodium lamps produce more lumens per watt than Metal Halide lamps. The 400W High Pressure Sodium lamp emits 140 lumens per watt, compared to the 125 lumens per watt by a 400W Metal Halide lamp.

For energy-saving re-lighting, a simple payback analysis can be preformed by dividing the cost of the fixture by the energy saved over a year's time.

Mean lumens are measured at rated volts after 500 hours, 1000 hours and 3000 hours. Values are shown in the table for regular voltage lamps 50W-1500W and high voltage lamps 25W-1500W.

How Your Lighting Dollar Is Spent

Cost of Lamp-Usually this cost averages 10% or less of the total lighting dollar.
Light Output-The important factor to consider is maintained lumen output throughout lamp life.
Cost of Electrical Energy-Under average conditions this cost represents the largest portion of the lighting dollar. As an example, when a consumer pays $.10 per kilowatt hour and burns lamps 10 hours a day for 300 days during the year, the cost of electricity for a 100 watt lamp would be $30.00.
Lamp Life-Since lamps can be obtained in a wide range of life ratings, the correct life to use is dependant upon such factors as light output, accessibility and maintenance costs.
Maintenance Cost-Rapidly rising labor costs make this factor frequently exceed 20% of the lighting dollar.
Intangible Costs-The vital problems of safety, morale, and the loss of production, which cannot be accurately calculated, are frequently the most important cost factors.
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Last modified: July 24, 2003