Reducing the quantity of fluorescent lamps through using efficient fixtures and design methods such as those listed above will reduce the heat that emanates from the lighting. Air conditioning and heating load requirements can drop considerably. When designing a new school, plan the lighting before the HVAC system. Then, use the energy usage and heat information to determine the exact amount of air conditioning capacity needed to address the lighting. Careful planning can eliminate unnecessary HVAC capacity, saving both capital cost and future operating expenditures.
Daylight helps reduce the energy required to light a classroom.
One way to reap additional savings is to install fixtures with built-in electronic daylight sensors that will automatically turn down the lights and reduce energy usage as daylight fills the room. One downside of using daylight is the resulting increase in glare and heat. This can be offset by using innovative light sails and shades at the window, to reflect the heat back out while diffusing the daylight and breaking up the sharp, glare-causing contrast. Poorly designed fixtures can lead to unnecessary costs. In recent earthquakes, school and other public facility lighting has been known to shake and fall.