Retrofitting the Electric Lighting and Daylighting Systems to Reduce Energy Use in Buildings: A Literature Review

This paper presents a literature review about energy-efficient retrofit of electric lighting and daylighting systems in buildings. The review, which covers around 160 research articles, addresses the following themes: (1) retrofitting electric lighting in buildings, (2) electric lighting energy use and saving potential and (3) lighting retrofit strategies. The retrofit strategies covered in the review are: replacement of lamp, ballast or luminaire; use of task-ambient lighting design; improvement in maintenance; reduction of maintained illuminance levels; improvement in spectral quality of light sources; improvement in occupant behavior; use of control systems; and use of daylighting systems. The review indicates that existing general knowledge about lighting retrofit is currently very limited and that there is a significant lack of information concerning the actual energy performance of lighting systems installed in the existing building stock. The resulting key directions for future research highlights issues for which a better understanding is required for the spread and development of lighting retrofit.