Moving from CFL to LED lighting: Case study: University laboratory in Dubai

Energy consumption through lighting around the world is an arising issue looking to be solved. Lighting accounts for 15% of the global electricity consumption and 5% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions [1]. This paper focuses on studying the energy consumption of the Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) employed in an educational labrotory in the Heriot Watt University Dubai Campus. The study takes into consideration energy consumption, performance, and thermal air conditioning load of CFL. Also to explore possible options of better fixtures using Light Emitting Diodes (LED) and their pay back period, for this specific case study. In order to obtain accurate figures experimental testing was carried out for the existing fixtures and compared to the DIALux simulation for lighting performance, which was found to be much lower than the nameplate rating. The DIALux model was simulated for multiple LED fixtures to conclude the best fixture for the case at hand. The simulated results show savings of 121 AED monthly and improvement in efficacy by 37 lm/W.