PNNL

Abstract

Lighting system control data from five patient rooms in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) over a 25-week monitoring period were analyzed to better understand how the NICU staff and families were responding to an automatic lighting system with manual overrides. The data were also analyzed to identify opportunities for optimizing the system for occupant needs and energy savings. The patient room occupants were clearly engaged in using the lighting system throughout the 24-hour day to meet needs and preferences. Giving occupants control over the lighting system did not result in a considerable increase in energy use. Minimizing the extended periods of time when the lights were left on at the highest brightness level would further decrease energy use. This analysis reveals the potential of lighting control data to contribute to energy savings.