For safety reasons and navigation concerns, underground parking garages need to be well lit. But when garages are required to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this can be costly in terms of energy use. In the case of Commerce Court, a prestigious office complex in Toronto's financial district, the ambiance created by an effectively lit space was also important. “The building's owners - British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (bcIMC), encouraged us to look for energy savings opportunities but we also needed to improve the overall level of lighting in the garage,” explains Paul Hollins who is Director, Technical Services, for the building's property manager GWL Realty Advisors Inc.

Reconfigured system proposed
The lighting system in the garage dated back to the 1990s and could benefit from newer energy-efficient technology. Fluorescent lighting in the loading docks and on entry and exit ramps was also dimming when exposed to cold air. “While others suggested we simply augment our existing lighting system, Toronto Hydro Energy Services really did their homework. They recommended new energyefficient fixtures reconfigured to provide higher light levels with fewer fixtures. Their proposal aligned most closely with our objectives and proposed budget,” says Paul.

New, innovative equipment
Toronto Hydro Energy Services introduced new T8 technology featuring smaller, more compact fluorescent tubes and electronic ballasts, which have a better power factor than older magnetic ballasts. Lighting was configured to illuminate in the direction of travel rather than across lanes, avoiding glare without shading. Attractive fixtures were placed on ramps and in the loading docks to eliminate the effect of cold temperatures on lighting levels. And blue Metal Halide lights frame the garage's entranceway, raising its street presence in the evenings.

Energy savings exceed 50%
The project was implemented in just nine weeks with most of the work completed during off-hours. Completed in January 2004, the new lighting system has cut energy usage at the garage by more than half and reduced lighting maintenance costs to next to nothing. Parking garages in buildings like Commerce Court are often operated as a separate cost centre so any savings in energy costs go directly to the bottom line. “We had a wellpresented proposal and well-executed project with results that have been better than expected so it's not surprising that we are extremely pleased with Toronto Hydro Energy Services,” remarks Paul.