People-friendly lighting controls
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
People-friendly lighting controls (IP 4/14) was written by Stephanie King, Paul Littlefair, Gareth Howlett, Feride Sener and Cosmin Ticleanu, and published by BRE on 30 May 2014.
In 2012, lighting accounted for 41% of electricity consumption in the UK services sector (including commercial). Improving the energy efficiency of lighting can therefore contribute substantially to overall energy savings.
Lighting controls can allow significant energy savings, and new techniques, such as touchscreens, scene setting and colour changing LEDs, allow flexible and sophisticated control.
Good lighting control systems can prevent energy from being wasted by lighting unoccupied or daylit spaces, or providing too much light when less might be preferred. Energy savings of up to 30 to 40% or more are achievable in some types of building, but clear and accessible system interfaces are necessary if users are to control the lighting properly.
This 8-page information paper explains how to design lighting controls interfaces so that they are easy to use, easy to understand, and give appropriate feedback to users. It is intended for controls manufacturers, lighting designers, building services consultants, ergonomists, facilities managers and building owners.
Its contents are:
- Introduction
- BRE lighting controls experiment
- Findings
- Conclusions and recommendations
- References
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Adequate lighting.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BREEAM.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Commercial lighting.
- Daylight lighting systems.
- General lighting v task lighting.
- Health and wellbeing impacts of natural and artificial lighting.
- Human-centric lighting.
- Lighting and energy efficiency.
- Lighting control systems.
- Lighting.
- Smart lighting market to 2020.
- Smart office lighting.
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.