Use accounts for the majority of a luminaire's energy consumption. So this is where the greatest energy savings can be made:

• This is the phase when there is the greatest potential for savings, a recognition backed up by life cycle assessments for lighting systems carried out in-house to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
  
  
• The study results were unequivocal: as the service life of a luminaire increases, the use phase comes to account for well over 90% of total life cycle energy requirements.
  
  
• This is where an integrated lighting solution is capable of achieving the best results. Such a solution is made up of a well thought out, professionally planned lighting concept comprising various different luminaires and light sources and controlled by an intelligent lighting management system.
  

• These begin as early as the luminaire design stage in terms of improving lighting and thermal characteristics (light distribution, efficiency, heat balance, etc.).
  
  
• By means of factors such as the correct selection of lamp technology and materials and the precise design of reflectors and prismatic diffusers.
  
  
• Another important factor is the use of electronic or electronically dimmable ballasts instead of conventional, far less efficient magnetic ballasts.
  
  
• In addition, intelligent control systems ensure that lighting levels are appropriate to the situation, for instance by means of presence detectors and in line with the level of daylight and time of day.