Buildings consume 70% of total electricity production in the US and account for 39% of CO2 emissions, according to the US Green Building Council, the figures are similar in other developed nations. While the most recent Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS), highlights that 17% of all electricity consumed in US commercial buildings is for lighting, making it the largest single end use of electricity. This makes lighting a key target for reducing electricity consumption through energy efficiency. The first step in reducing the energy consumption lighting represents in buildings is the switch from conventional bulbs to low power Light Emitting Diodes (LED), a transition well underway in many parts of the world. In fact, overall electricity consumption for lighting in offices dropped from 38% to 17% of total usage between 2003 and 2012 largely thanks to LED retrofits. The next step is developing lighting controls, which research firm Gartner predict could ultimately result in […]