The essential guide to retail lighting

BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.

On 3 September 2013, BRE published, The essential guide to retail lighting: Achieving effective and energy-efficient lighting (FB 56), written by Cosmin Ticleanu, Paul Littlefair and Gareth Howlett. It was funded by the BRE Trust.

Despite the fact that lighting products are becoming more energy efficient, overall, the amount of energy used for retail lighting has increased. This is, in part, because of longer opening hours and higher light levels, but it is compounded by inappropriate control strategies and improper choice of light sources, and it results in reduced profitability and has environmental impacts.

The retail sector consumes more lighting energy than any other commercial sector; accounting for 35% of the energy consumption for lighting in the entire service sector, and 43% of the electricity used in the retail sector.

Energy consumption can be improved by the use of modern lighting techniques and equipment, and more efficient light sources, whilst providing an enhanced level of illumination and improved visual appeal.

This 68 page guide reviews current practice in retail lighting and offers advice about energy savings. It provides practical guidance for retailers, architects and designers about refurbishing existing lighting systems and developing new lighting solutions.

Its contents are:

• Glossary.
• Introduction.
• Design principles.
• Review of current solutions in retail lighting.
• State of the art technologies in lighting.
• Guidelines for improved lighting design.
• Conclusions.
• References.
• Appendix: Checklist for refurbishment.

--BRE Group

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