Hounslow House - Lighting
What lights do we have in Hounslow House?
The lighting in Hounslow House is powered by a mixture of LED lights, including LED down lights, LED surface and recessed light fittings.
LED lights — or Light Emitting Diodes — produce light when an electrical current passes through a small electronic chip inside the bulb. Unlike traditional light bulbs (like incandescent or halogen), which work by heating a wire to create light, LEDs emit light through the movement of electrons in the material. This means they’re much more energy efficient, as they turn most of the energy into light rather than heat.
How do the lights operate in Hounslow House, and why do we use motion sensors instead of manual switches?
The lighting in Hounslow House is on a pre-programmed schedule with set on/off times. In addition to this, lights are activated by motion sensors (known as PIR – Passive Infrared), meaning they turn on automatically when movement is detected. There are also PD’s (Present Detection) installed for when there is no detection of movement, causing the lights to turn off automatically.
The only manually controlled lights in the building are in meeting rooms. All other lighting is operated by a computer-controlled system. Making any changes to system or individual lights would require reprogramming, which is complex due to the quantity and variety of lights across the building. Using motion sensors (PIR & PD’s) makes the system much more efficient and manageable.
Why can’t we turn the Hounslow House lights off at night?
Hounslow House turns off the lights for several hours overnight, as part of the pre-programmed schedule. Due to the security presence and PIR (motion sensor), the lights will often be on in the evenings to provide adequate lighting for patrols and other staff using the building, such as cleaners and Councillors.
Are any improvements being made to the system?
We are regularly reviewing the programming of the system to identify alternative control measures which will be conducive to the users and existing program system.
What is the effect on the climate?
LED lights are more energy efficient than traditional or halogen bulbs, typically using 80-90% less energy. In addition, these lights have a longer lifespan than other options, which reduces the requirement for regular replacement and maintenance of the bulbs, tubes, and fittings. PIR sensors also use very little power and do not emit heat or energy, helping to conserve electricity.
By using LED lights and PIR sensors in Hounslow House, we can reduce our energy consumption and have more positive environmental impacts, while also ensuring lighting specifications are met.
Further questions and comments can be directed to: FacilitiesManagementHelpdesk@hounslow.gov.uk where a member of the team will deal with your query appropriately.
