Lighting

About 10% of all electricity used in Finland is taken up by lighting. For example, lighting for school buildings typically consumes a fifth and that for hospitals up to a third of electricity consumption, because lighting is required round the clock.

The energy consumption of lighting depends on many things: the kinds of lamps, fixtures, location of lights and control technology. The amount of available light for use is influenced by whether room surfaces and lighting are dirty and worn.

The signs of good lighting:

• Environmental friendliness;
• Energy efficiency; and
• The adaptability of rooms according to changing purposes.

Lighting standards and official stipulations set a basis for minimum demands. The main ones are standards concerning workplaces and safety lighting. There are also norms for the lighting of sports areas.

The use of lighting only when it is needed is one of the most important single points in reducing energy consumption. This can nowadays be handled with the help of the development of control technology. It is equally important to instruct users in acting correctly.

Reducing energy consumption does not mean having to compromise over the amount or quality of light. With new technology we can even improve the amount and quality of light, while still saving in use costs.