When most commercial property owners in Oregon hear of the word audit, they only think of one thing: someone going through their financial statements. What they don’t know is that there is more to the term. A lighting audit, for example, is used as the first step to determine if you can upgrade your commercial lighting or not. So, it’s not just about your finances but more about making the right decision in reference to economical lighting. A lighting audit in Oregon can be done on any commercial property regardless of size. The auditors usually collect specific types of information before they offer you a report that explains whether you should go ahead with the upgrade or not.
1. Financial Data
The auditor has to determine if your decision to upgrade your commercial lighting is financially sound. So, the expert will assess the rate at which your electricity consumption is billed to see if it’s economical. In addition, the auditor will look at your energy expenditure budget allocation to determine its practicality.
2. Structural Details
Your commercial building has a lot to say about the upgrading. The auditor will look at specific details in your structure which are important in upgrading the lighting system, including:
• The layout
• The floor plans
• The positioning of power outlets
• The positioning of electronics
Future-proofing is another vital element of lighting upgrade and it is always crucial to collect any relevant information about your future plans for the building as well as its electrical infrastructure.
3. Lighting Info
This is where the audit makes better sense. The auditor gathers vital data about your current lighting, such as:
• The hours of lighting
• The lamp types and number
• The number, type, and condition of light fixtures
• The color of the room and that of the main objects
The above data helps to compare your current energy consumption with the cost that you’ll incur when you upgrade the lighting.
4. Occupants Feedback
Lastly, a lighting audit in Oregon cannot be complete without collecting feedback from the current occupants. The information helps to show if there are any major issues with the existing lighting, including areas that are too dark or too bright and lens glare off screens among other factors.
The above information types represent the comprehensive data collected during a lighting audit. Actually, the job is more involving than it sounds. That’s why it’s advisable to hire a qualified lighting auditor to take up the job. The auditor will help you come up with an economical lighting plan.
