Advanced office lights cut power costs 64%

When the manager of a lower Manhattan office building opened his electric bill recently, he saw a change for the better. The 11th floor, occupied by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), used 64% less electricity for lighting, resulting in a savings of more than $10,000 per year. Making the Con Edison bill savings possible: installation of an energy-efficient lighting system, and the useof new energy-saving personal computers in the 1901-vintage building. The lighting system for the 23,000-sq-ft space consists of energy-efficient electronic ballasts and fluorescent lamps mounted in highly reflective deep-ceiling fixtures. The lights produce less glare on computer screens. Occupancy sensors turn them off when employees leave a work area for more than 10 minutes. In addition, window ceiling monitors sense changes in natural daylight and adjust lights to save energy on sunny days. In addition, use of EPA "Energy Star"-certified computers reduces energy use 23% over standard computers. FAX Jackie Turner at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) at (650) 855-2900.