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NSA GOES GREEN At the National Security Agency, we are committed to protecting the environment.

Lighting the Way to Energy Savings

Another way in which NSA is saving energy is with new approaches to lighting. Lighting efficiency, which typically accounts for 30% of a building's total annual electric energy use, has been a primary focus of NSA's Energy Team over the years. NSA has replaced most of the older fluorescent lights with more energy-efficient lights and ballasts. Additionally, all new renovation projects incorporate new lighting technology and include occupancy sensors and cost-saving LED exit signs.

Technology, however, does not stand still, and as new lighting technologies are developed, NSA will continue to explore these applications. Currently, several new energy-saving approaches are being investigated, including the use of desk lamps to reduce overhead lighting, LED lighting, day-light harvesting, and the use of Spectrally Enhanced Lighting.

Spectrally Enhanced Lighting is a lighting design technique that uses lighting whose color spectrum is more like daylight than most commonly used light sources, which appear more yellow. It can save 20% more energy than even the newer electronic ballasted fluorescent lighting systems and, with proper design, can achieve 50% savings over older fluorescent lights. In addition to saving energy, Spectrally Enhanced Lighting improves the workplace by offering visual benefits such as higher levels of brightness perception and greater visual acuity.

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