A new and energy efficient approach to domestic lighting

Nick Jones and David Loe, Building Research Establishment, UK

Keywords

energy efficiency, design, house builders, interior design, carbon emissions, building regulations, code CFL

Abstract

This paper describes a project carried out by the Building Research Establishment to enable, encourage, and hopefully transform the way domestic lighting is installed in the UK. The project has been made possible by a change in the Building Regulations in England and Wales which now require a minimum number of fittings that will only accept low energy lamps (e.g. pin based CFLs) to be installed in all new homes. These regulations have made architects and builders reconsider the way they light the homes that they build. This paper describes a background to the project in terms of lighting design in UK housing and the need for greater energy efficiency. It then describes the project to develop concept luminaire designs suitable for permanent installation in new housing and presents the results of a seminar and publication to promote a new and energy efficient approach to domestic lighting.