Lighting Optimization: Cut Operational Costs through Energy Efficiency

If you manage an office, retail store, warehouse, or factory, the electricity bill is often viewed as a fixed, unavoidable expense. Yet, in many facilities, significant waste stems from something seemingly mundane: lighting. Lights remain on longer than necessary, rarely used areas stay illuminated, or brightness levels are set uniformly across all spaces despite their differing functions. Because the premises remain well-lit and operations continue smoothly, such patterns are rarely questioned. However, the financial impact can be substantial—especially when dealing with numerous light fixtures, long operating hours, and air-conditioned zones. Lighting optimization offers a practical way to reduce operating costs without compromising productivity. Actia provides lighting optimization services to help companies improve energy efficiency through a data-driven approach that delivers demonstrable results. We offer realistic savings projections to support informed decision-making, rather than merely making attractive but unsubstantiated promises.

Energy Efficiency: Optimizing Lighting and Cooling Systems

Lighting and cooling are interconnected. Lights generate heat, and in air-conditioned areas, that heat adds to the cooling load. This means that when lighting becomes more efficient, the benefits extend beyond just the electricity consumed by the lights; they also impact cooling energy consumption—particularly in locations where air conditioning runs for extended periods (such as retail stores, offices, or specific operational areas). We do not claim specific percentage savings because usage patterns vary by facility. What matters more is that you understand the realistic savings figures for your specific situation, based on clear assumptions.

Lighting Optimization Services: Often Unnoticed Signs of Waste

Lighting waste is rarely visible to the naked eye. The signs usually look like this:
  • Lights illuminate a wider area than is actually being used; activity is concentrated in one section, yet other areas remain fully lit.
  • Lights run at full intensity throughout operating hours, despite fluctuating activity levels; quiet and busy periods are treated the same way.
  • Certain spots feel “too bright” for their intended function—a situation that often goes unnoticed simply out of habit.
  • Bills are rising, yet it is difficult to pinpoint exactly where the “leak” is occurring with convincing figures. Billing data exists, but it is insufficient for making informed decisions.
If one or two of the signs above sound familiar, there is likely a significant opportunity for energy efficiency. For companies with multiple branches, that opportunity extends beyond a single location—it accumulates into substantial annual OPEX savings when implemented consistently.

A Simple Cost-Saving Calculation Example

Suppose a single location has 50 light points. Old 36W lights are replaced with 18W ones, resulting in a reduction of 18W per point. If the lights operate for 14 hours a day over 330 days a year, with an electricity rate of Rp1,700/kWh, then:
  • Total power reduction = 18 W × 50 (light points) = 900 W (or 0.9 kW).
  • Annual operating hours = 14 (hours/day) × 330 (days/year) = 4,620 hours.
  • Energy savings = 0.9 (kW) × 4,620 (hours/year) = 4,158 kWh/year.
  • This means cost savings = 4,158 (kWh/year) × 1,700 (Rp/kWh) = ± Rp7.07 million/year per location.
Note: This example calculates savings based on lighting alone. In air-conditioned areas, total savings may differ due to factors such as room heat and cooling loads.

With Hundreds of Branches, the Impact on OPEX Is Immediate

Savings of around IDR 7 million per location might seem modest until you multiply that figure by the total number of sites. Based on the example above (± IDR 7.07 million/location/year), the picture looks roughly like this:

Number of branches

 Estimated annual savings (lighting only)

100

± IDR 706 million

200

± IDR 1.41 billion
300

± IDR 2.12 billion
For multi-site companies, the deciding factors are usually consistent implementation and the ability to demonstrate results. When the “before-and-after” figures are clear and well-organized, internal discussions move much faster because the savings are concrete and the focus is clear.

“Bonus” Example Calculation: Impact of Electricity Emission Reductions

If your company also monitors emissions from electricity consumption, the logic is simple: lower kWh → lower emissions. For example, consider a single 20 W LED light turned on for one hour:
  • 20 W = 0.02 kW
  • Energy = 0.02 kW × 1 hour = 0.02 kWh
  • Using the Java–Bali grid emission factor as an example (e.g., 0.87 tonnes CO₂e/MWh = 0.87 kg CO₂e/kWh), the emissions would be: 0.02 × 0.87 = 0.0174 kg CO₂e (≈ 17.4 grams)
Emission factor figures depend on the specific grid interconnection system and the reference year. In actual practice, we align these figures with the standards used by your company.

Why Are So Many “Lighting Efficiency” Programs Dropped from Strategy Lists?

It is usually not because the idea itself is flawed. What often halts these initiatives is the lack of compelling data to support a decision. Management typically requires three key pieces of information: the potential savings, the impact on annual costs, and the feasibility of implementation without disrupting operations. That is why, at Actia, we focus on helping you identify lighting-related energy efficiency opportunities and presenting them in a format that facilitates internal discussions—especially when the plan involves implementation across multiple locations. For context, energy efficiency initiatives align with Indonesia’s energy conservation directives, including Law No. 30 of 2007 concerning Energy, Government Regulation No. 33 of 2023 concerning Energy Conservation, and the technical standard SNI 6197:2020 (Energy conservation in lighting systems).

FAQ

Not always. LEDs are often part of the solution, but light optimization focuses on overall lighting energy efficiency—including ensuring that lighting usage aligns with operational needs and that results are easily verifiable.
Not necessarily. The goal isn’t to make the room dim, but to ensure the lighting is appropriate for the room’s function. The workspace remains comfortable; it is simply a matter of eliminating waste.
It is possible, provided there is sufficient comparative data. That is why we usually emphasize estimates with clearly defined assumptions and guidelines on how to interpret the results, so that claims of cost savings aren’t based merely on hearsay.
Typically, companies start with a few sample locations to gauge the potential savings per branch. Only then is the most suitable approach for the entire network determined. We can discuss the details during the consultation session.
The minimum data required includes: an estimated number of light points, the wattage or type of dominant lighting, daily operating hours, and whether the main area is air-conditioned. If billing data or sub-metering information is available, the estimate can be made to more closely reflect actual conditions.

Want to Know the Potential Savings for Your Location?

If you are looking for figures that reflect real-world conditions—rather than just brochure estimates—consult with us. Simply provide some basic data, such as the approximate number of light points, the wattage or dominant lamp type, and daily operating hours. We will help identify savings opportunities and create realistic estimates, whether for a single site or a projection across a network of branches. Consult with us today to discover the energy efficiency potential of lighting optimization for your facility.
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