As of June 2022, new commercial buildings are now subject to new lighting regulations as set by the 2021 Part L Building Regulations. In this article, we discuss what has changed from previous regulations, and how architects, engineers, electrical contractors, lighting designers and the owners and managers of commercial businesses will be impacted.
So, what’s changing as a result of new lighting regulations? As of June 2022, new commercial buildings must incorporate lighting systems that provide increased efficiency, accurate measuring, and precision lighting control. CO² emissions are also impacted with targets reduced by 27 for commercial buildings.
Read on to find out more about the 2022 changes and how they impact your planned or existing commercial real estate.
What are the 2022 New Lighting Regulations?
On June 15th 2022, new lighting requirements set by the 2021 Part L Building Regulations (Conservation of Fuel and Power) came into force. Designed to make the nation’s homes and business premises more sustainable, these changes have significant importance for architects, engineers, electrical contractors, lighting designers and the owners and managers of non-residential buildings.
Previous Part L regulations have focused on other areas of building energy use, such as HVAC and hot water systems, but the rules now incorporate lighting into a commercial building’s efficiency plan. Although these changes refer to new-construction buildings, they also have meaning for the owners and managers of existing business premises - lighting upgrades to their properties will capture valuable energy savings and ensure they meet future compliance demands.
What’s Changed from Previous Regulations?
Past regulations have largely ignored the effects of lighting in a building’s efficiency plan, with high efficacy lighting enough to ensure compliance. This is no longer the case. Now, new commercial buildings must incorporate lighting systems that provide increased efficiency, accurate measuring, and precision lighting control. (The new changes are in addition to the Single Lighting Regulation and the related Energy Labeling of Light Sources rules which came into effect in December 2019).
Increased Efficiency Per Circuit Watt
To extract more light output from less energy input, minimum lighting efficiency is raised to 80 luminaire lumens per circuit watt for display lighting and 95 luminaire lumens per circuit watt for general lighting. As well as requiring the incorporation of high-end lighting trim and pinpoint control, these changes may also impact the choice of materials used in the fabrication of internal spaces.
Accurate Metering and Lighting Control
Most commercial buildings are over-lit, particularly retail premises and hospitality environments such as hotels. The new lighting regulations finally address this issue, with each lighting circuit now requiring a kw/h meter, unless a lighting control system that can accurately calculate and share the energy usage is installed. To further verify compliance of a building, the use of occupancy detection and daylight sensors is also now expected.
Reductions in CO² Emissions
The changes to Part L include further reductions in CO² emissions with targets reduced by 27% for commercial buildings, and a new emphasis on low-carbon heating systems. Enhanced control of air quality, emissions, temperature levels, and HVAC are all firmly in the spotlight, with the rule changes affecting all non-domestic buildings and demanding immediate incorporation into planning for new-builds and retrofitting for existing properties.
How Do These Changes Impact Me?
For the first time, lighting is a key element in the efficiency plan for all new commercial buildings. Not only will these changes contribute to the reduction in the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, the UK’s drive to Net Zero, and closer adherence to the targets set by numerous COP climate conferences, they will have a positive impact on building expenses and business profitability.
According to the Carbon Trust, lighting typically consumes 20% of the energy used in commercial and industrial buildings. This is not a small number, and, given the recent and large increases in the price of electricity, and the absence of a protective price cap for UK business users, the move to smart lighting and high efficacy systems may represent tens of thousands of pounds per year in savings for many business and building owners.
If you’re a designer, planner, engineer, or construction project manager engaged in the construction of new commercial buildings, the regulation changes not only require you to recalibrate your consideration of lighting efficiency within the building design, they provide you with an opportunity to go further by incorporating intelligent control and daylight harvesting systems, timers, detection systems, and smart meters to extract maximum efficacy and stay ahead of further lighting compliance demands.
If you’re the owner or manager of an existing commercial building, the new regulations indicate upgrades and amendments you should consider now. They will help to slash your property’s energy consumption, boost your bottom line, and leave you in a good position to meet the lighting compliance rules that will inevitably encompass existing structures in the future.
Smart Lighting Solutions at Prime Light
Many commercial buildings will struggle to meet the new Part L rules. Blending enhanced lighting efficiency into new constructions and retrofitting into existing properties will require nuance and expert understanding of lighting control and the products and systems to deliver it. Prime Light provides smart lighting solutions for all types of buildings and every type of business. Talk to us before you begin the process of planning your next construction or replacing your building’s existing lighting system. Stay compliant, stay ahead, save energy.
Prime Light – the experts for commercial lighting components and controls. Contact us now.
