Remove unneeded lamps
Lighting levels often are higher than necessary. A simple way to save energy dollars is to remove unneeded lamps where lighting levels exceed your needs. By removing lamps with careful attention to the type of activity, occupants' needs, and light distribution, you may be able to reduce lighting costs substantially without affecting the comfort or productivity of the people there. When removing two-lamp and four-lamp fluorescent fixtures, lamps are usually wired in pairs and must be removed in pairs. For maximum energy savings when removing fluorescent lamps, disconnect the ballasts as well.

Turn off lights when an area is unoccupied
Generally lights should be turned off whenever an area is left unoccupied for any length of time - say more than 10 to 20 minutes. While this may shorten the life of a fluorescent lamp, the potential energy savings far outweigh the cost of these lamps during their lifetime. When determining which lights to turn off you should consider the lighting delays common among mercury vapor, metal halide and sodium lamps. These lamps may take as long as 15 minutes after being turned on to produce light output. If you will need the light immediately, this delay should be taken into account.

Turn off lights near windows
If your lights can be controlled separately, turn off those nearest the windows whenever there is enough natural light. In the winter, open shades or blinds to add warmth and reduce the load on your heating system. In the summer, consider installing special film, shades or blinds to reduce heat transmission yet let the natural light in during the warm months.

Use partial lighting before and after 'public' hours
For those times when employees must work in an area but the 'public' isn't there, consider using fewer lights - say half the lights or lights in a concentrated area for stocking shelves and merchandising before opening for business.

Re-schedule or reduce evening activities
Cleaning hours are often evening hours, when lights are turned on only for this purpose. Sometimes, because of the wiring and switches, a very large area or perhaps an entire floor must be lighted even though only part of it is being cleaned at a time. Consider rescheduling evening cleaning to daylight times when the area is unoccupied.

Review your outside lighting needs
You may be able to turn-off, reduce running hours, or use lower wattage lamps in lighted parking areas, sighs, entrances, walls and landscaping. Be sure to comply with applicable safety and security codes.

Use only necessary safety and security lighting
At night and when areas are unoccupied, make sure the only lights left on are those needed for safety, security or some other specific purpose. Turnoff parking area and perimeter security lighting during the daytime. Be sure to comply with applicable safety and security codes.

Make sure automatic controls are working properly
Some of your lighting may be controlled by a time clock, which switches the lights off and on automatically at predetermined times which you select. Just an hour or two a day of unnecessary lighting can add up to substantial energy costs that could be avoided by assuring the timer is doing its job properly.

Keep lighting fixtures clean
A maintenance 'must' - keep lamps and fixtures clean. Dust, grease, and other dirt accumulations on lamps, lenses, globes, and reflecting surfaces of the fixture can reduce light output by as much as 30%. You should clean your light fixtures every two or three years. In greasy, dusty, or smoky settings, or when light fixtures are integrated with the HVAC system, cleaning may need to be more frequent.

Group re-lamping
If your building has a large number of ceiling lights consider 'group relamping' (replacing all lamps in an area near the end of their useful life). Relamping can cut lamp replacement labor costs in half when effectively done and assures proper light levels.