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To combat the issues of unknown cost/energy savings and installation hassles for automatic shut-off controls, the LRC developed two solutions:
Energy Savings with Occupancy Sensors
Debate over the potential energy savings achievable through the use of occupancy sensors has created doubt in the minds of building owners and occupants as to the benefits of this technology. The LRC compiled 26 case studies and claims by manufacturers regarding the effectiveness of occupancy sensors. The LRC organized the data into categories of private space vs. shared space and scheduled use vs. sporadic use. Below are summarized, general estimates of energy savings from occupancy sensors.
Average Energy Savings
Shared spaces with sporadic use: 40%
Shared spaces with scheduled use: 30%
Private offices with sporadic use: 25%
Private offices with scheduled use: Rare, and not reported in the case studies
For more information:
Best Practices for Installation of Occupancy Sensors
To help overcome the difficulties and barriers associated with installing occupancy sensors, the LRC developed a list of best practices and guidelines to fill gaps and simplify information found in currently available literature. Here are a few tips for manufacturers and installers that could help reduce the installation and commissioning time and confusion:
Manufacturers should:
- Supply circuit schematics or documentation explaining inputs and outputs to the sensors and power packs.
- Use the same wire color scheme across manufacturers. This will facilitate the installation of sensors and power packs or any other components that are not from the same manufacturer.
- Supply documentation on how to override the system after the power packs are installed.
Installers should:
- Never disable manual controls after installing occupancy sensors; light switch capabilities should be supplemented by the motion sensor.
- Provide a sufficient number of sensors in open plan offices. Saving money by reducing the number of occupancy sensors used in open-plan areas may result in poor performance and thus, overall dissatisfaction and rejection.
- Place occupancy sensors close to areas where small movements are made (e.g., near desks, over bathroom stalls) to improve the likelihood of sensing motion.
For more information:
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