COMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE OF LED LIGHTING FOR AMBIENT LIGHTING IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

Abstract

As global warming is being intensely discussed these days, new energy efficient lighting technologies such as LED are becoming popular in Singapore. These are being used on overhead pedestrian bridges, corridors in public housing as well as interior space in commercial buildings. These efforts comply with the government’s goal to promote Singapore as a green city in the global context. This dissertation studies the performance of LED lightings compared to conventional lightings in terms of quality of light, energy consumption, efficacy and economic aspects. This dissertation also discusses various challenges faced by the LED lighting technology.

Three research methodologies are adopted in this dissertation. Firstly, intensive literature search on characteristics of LED lighting is carried out and case studies on LED projects are conducted. Secondly, experiments are conducted to measure the performance of LED lighting. The uniformity and efficiency of LED lighting are evaluated. Thirdly, an interview is conducted to collect data and information for evaluating cost performance and determine challenges in the adoption of LED lighting technology.

From the analysis of data obtained through literature reviews, case study and interviews, it was found that LED lighting can save at least 50% of the energy consumption in a commercial building, have a payback period shorter than the lifespan, have highest efficacy and illuminance among different types of lighting. It also found that LED lighting has similar efficiency at different colour temperature. It is concluded that LED lighting is suitable to be applied in commercial building with its excellent performance and cost effectiveness. The LED incentive schemes are recommended in order to promote the adoption of LED lighting in the commercial lighting.