FARM ENERGY INNOVATION PROGRAM - ENERGY IN SHEDS
Energy-efficient farm lighting
Upgrading farm lighting equipment can achieve energy savings
for relatively low investment and should be considered by most
farm businesses. Reductions in lighting energy use of 82 percent
can be made. Which specific solution best suit your needs will
depends on a number of factors. Generally, retrofitting requires
less up-front capital and is simpler, but installing a new system is
more cost-effective in buildings that contain older equipment.
Full replacement of your lighting can also be economical where
improvements in technology have led to price reductions.
Introduction
Common lighting terminology
Effective lighting does more than just illuminate an area. It can
reduce running costs and improve the working environment,
safety and aesthetics. Energy use associated with lighting
systems can be reduced by up to 82 percent if energy-efficient
lighting practices are adopted (NSW Office of Environment and
Heritage, 2013).
Luminaire. Also referred to as a light fitting or fixture, the
luminaire includes the lampholder and the lamp itself.
Lighting applications on farms range from farmhouses,
workshops and warehouses to large-scale use in intensive
production facilities.
Control gear. The mechanism that converts the energy
supplied to the building into a form that best suits the light
source. Control gear includes starters and ballasts.
Indoor lighting for farm facilities is critical to safe and efficient
production. Lighting systems should be designed to meet
minimum lighting requirements in the most energy-efficient
and economical manner. This paper gives an overview of
lighting types suitable for use in farm facilities.
CRI. The Colour Rendering Index (CRI) is a measurement of
a light source's accuracy in rendering different colours
when compared to a reference light source with the same
correlated colour temperature. CRI generally ranges from 0
for a source like a low-pressure sodium vapour lamp to 100
for a source like an incandescent light bulb.
Energy savings through lighting
There are two general types of upgrades: retrofitting and an
entire replacement. A retrofit changes only part of an existing
lighting system, such as the lamps or control gear. Or you can
replace the entire luminaire with a new luminaire.
The decision you make will depend on a number of factors.
Generally, retrofitting requires less up-front capital and
installation is relatively easy; however, installing a new
luminaire is often more cost-effective in buildings containing
older equipment. Full replacement can also be economical
where technology advancements have led to price reductions .
Lighting upgrades
The following solutions require capital investment and could
be undertaken as part of a site-wide lighting upgrade.



Fitting reflectors. Installing light fittings with
reflectors that direct light to specified areas and do
not absorb too much light can improve efficiency by
up to 40 percent.
Installing efficient ballasts. Around 20 percent of the
total energy used in fluorescent systems is lost in
heat from the ballast. By installing low-loss ballasts
for fluorescent lighting, you can make substantial
savings in energy costs.
Installing energy-efficient lighting systems. Induction
high bays can be replaced by metal halide high-bay
lights; incandescent globes by CCFL.
Lampholder. A part of the luminaire that provides electrical
connection to the lamp and holds the lamp in place.
Lamp. The light source mounted within a luminaire.
Types of lighting
Incandescent lamps
Incandescent lamps are the least expensive and until recently,
were the most commonly available lamps. An incandescent
lamp creates light by using electrical resistance to heat a finely
coiled wire to the point where the coil is hot enough to glow.
They are also the least efficient form of lighting, however.
About 90 percent of the energy used by an incandescent lamp
becomes heat; only 10 percent becomes light.
General lighting service incandescent lamps (GLS lamps) are no
longer available to purchase thanks to their poor efficiency, so
farm facility operators must look for alternatives when
replacing or upgrading such lighting.
Halogen lamps
Tungsten-halogen (or just halogen) lamps are a type of highpressure incandescent lamp that is more energy-efficient than
regular incandescent lamps. Halogen lamps operate at very
high temperatures and use less energy because they recycle
heat to keep their filaments hot, thus using less electricity.
Linear fluorescent lamps
Often, linear fluorescent lighting is used in shops, barns, and
other covered spaces. The most common designations for
linear fluorescent lighting include T-5, T-8 and T-12. The T
indicates the shape of the lamp tube and the corresponding
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FARM ENERGY INNOVATION PROGRAM - ENERGY IN SHEDS
Energy-efficient farm lighting
number indicates the tube diameter in eighths of an inch.
A T-8 lamp is tubular and 8/8” (one inch) in diameter.
T-8 (usually 75 to 98 lm/W) lamps are the most energyefficient option and are commonly used in farm applications.
Compared to a T-12 lamp and ballast, a T-8 fluorescent lamp
provides about 15 percent more lumens per watt, and its
ballasts are 40 percent more efficient. Both T-8 and T-12
lamps can be used in the sealed fixtures needed in most
farm applications.
Although T-5 lamps are even more efficient than T-12 and T-8
lamps, they produce more heat than larger-diameter lamps
and can’t be used in sealed fixtures. Sealed and weatherproof
fixtures are necessary in many areas, such as those with
livestock, moisture and/or dust. For these reasons, T-5 lamps
are generally not recommended for agricultural applications.
Most types of magnetic ballast (used with T-12 lamps) have
not been manufactured since 2010. They can be replaced with
higher-efficiency electronic ballasts or with more efficient
fixtures and lamps such as the T-8.
Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs)
CFLs can be used to replace incandescent bulbs directly
because they require no wiring changes. Typically, CFLs use
75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last
approximately 10 times longer. Normally they will not operate
below -17°C and require about a minute to reach full light
output. CFLs installed in livestock and poultry facilities should
be rated for damp environments; however, bulb life may be
shortened if you place them in globes or enclosures, due to
increased temperatures. CFLs are best suited for facilities in
which lights stay on for extended periods, since frequent
on/off cycles shorten their lifespan.
ideal for short-cycle lighting. They should be replaced when
light output begins to fade appreciably or when they shut off
and restrike continually while power is still on.
Metal halide (MH) lamps
These bulbs generally have efficiency ratings between 60 and
80 lm/W and are available in a pulse-start or standard version.
Typically, pulse-start bulbs are more efficient and can have 50
percent more lamp life than the standard version.
MH are not instant-on lights; they require one to three
minutes to reach full light output. They must also cool down
for five minutes before re-starting.
High-pressure sodium vapour (HSPV) lamps
HPSV lighting is more efficient than metal halide lighting.
However, these lamps emit a yellow-orange light that may not
be desirable for livestock facilities where true colour
observation is critical to monitoring animal health. They work
well at cold temperatures and are typically used outdoors.
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
LEDs use semiconductors (diodes) to produce light. They are
up to five times more efficient than incandescent lighting and
are long-lasting, with ratings up to 100,000 hours. LEDs emit
directional lighting rather than the 360-degree illumination
provided by other bulbs. Currently, they have limited
application in livestock and poultry housing due to their
susceptibility to moisture, heat and dust. New LED products
are being developed, however, and some have been tested
successfully in broiler housing.
Induction lamps
These lamps are similar to fluorescent lamps except that they
do not receive their energy by electrodes creating an arc. The
mercury in a typical induction lamp is excited into producing
light by the use of a powerful magnetic field. The lamps are
operated by electronic control gear.
High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps
HID lamps include metal halide and high-pressure sodium
vapour lamps. Usually, HIDs are easy to install and maintain
and are well suited for high bay applications (i.e. ceilings
higher than 12 feet). However, they require a few minutes to
warm up before they reach full light output so they are not
Figure 1: Poultry shed using newer LED tube lighting technologies.
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FARM ENERGY INNOVATION PROGRAM - ENERGY IN SHEDS
Energy-efficient farm lighting
The following table shows a list of some of the lighting technologies that are available for farm applications. Important details to
consider are lumens per watt and application types for any candidate lights.
Instant
on
(mins)
Lumens
per watt
Average rated
life (hrs)
Colour
5–30
750–4,000
White
98–100
Yes
No
Below -18
Indoor/outdoor
12–25
2,000–6,000
White
98–100
Yes
No
Below -18
Indoor/outdoor
Compact
fluorescent
50–80
6,000–12,000
White
65–95
Yes
Yes
10
Indoor/outdoor, poultry
houses, storage rooms and
general lighting
Cold cathode
compact
fluorescent
41–49
18,000–
25,000
Bluish
to
white
82–84
Yes
Internal
-24
Indoor/outdoor, poultry and
general lighting
T-12 fluorescent
75–98
6,500–20,000
White
52–95
Yes
Yes
10
T-12 highoutput
fluorescent
75–98
6,500–20,000
White
70–95
Yes
Yes
-30
T-8 fluorescent
75–98
7,500–20,000
White
52–95
Yes
Yes
-18
T-8 high-output
fluorescent
75–98
6,500–20,000
White
70–95
Yes
Yes
-30
Induction
50–90
60,000–
100,000
White
80–90
Yes
Yes
-40
60–80
5,000–20,000
Bluish
65–75
No
(1–3)
Yes
Below -18
Indoor/outdoor, including
high-bay and greenhouses
60–80
20,000
Bluish
85–94
No
(1–3)
Yes
Below -18
Indoor/outdoor, including
high-bay and greenhouses
High-pressure
sodium vapour
50–140
15,000–
24,000
Yellow
or
orange
20–80
No
(3–5)
Yes
Below -18
Low-pressure
sodium
60–150
Yellow
-44
Yes
Below -18
Mercury vapour
25–60
Bluish
50
Light-emitting
diode
4–150
White
80–90
Lamp type
Standard
incandescent
Tungsten
halogen
Quartz
pulse-start
metal halide
Ceramic
pulse-start
metal halide
12,000–
18,000
16,000–
24,000
35,000–
50,000
CRI
No
(7–15)
No
(7–15)
Yes
Ballast
Minimum start
temp. (°C)
Yes
‘Driver’
Application
Indoor, milking parlours, milk
rooms, storage rooms and
bay areas
Indoor, milking parlours, milk
rooms, storage rooms and
bay areas
General area lighting of all
kinds and low-bay areas
Indoor, milking parlours, milk
rooms, storage rooms and
bay areas
Where maintenance costs
are high
Indoor/outdoor, poultry
sheds, livestock holding areas
and greenhouses
Indoor/outdoor, general and
security
Outdoor
NA
Indoor/outdoor
Table 1: General characteristics of light sources used for farming facilities (Kindberg, 2010).
Notes:


Average rated life may vary depending on how often the lamp is switched on and off, and the operating environment.
Minimum start temperatures may vary depending on the lamp and ballast combination.
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FARM ENERGY INNOVATION PROGRAM - ENERGY IN SHEDS
Energy-efficient farm lighting
hours, which is four times longer than compact fluorescent
lamps (CFL) and 18 times longer than incandescent lamps.
Light levels
Australian lighting standards outline minimum luminance
requirements for farms and businesses. Sufficient lighting from
a natural or artificial source must be provided to meet these
standards, which have been created to allow safe movement
around the workplace and to allow workers to perform their
jobs without having to adopt awkward postures or strain their
eyes to see. Correct lighting must also be provided for the safe
and healthy farming of animals and produce. For example,
lighting is an essential component of successful commercial
poultry production.
Application
Lighting (lux)
Chicken farming (Bolla, 2007)
Young chickens (1–5 days old)
Young chickens (6–10 days old)
Pullets
Layers
Broilers
24 hours constant light at 40 lux*
minimum with 5–60 minutes
blackout training
23 hours constant light at 30 lux
15 hours constant light at 5 lux
15 hours constant light at 10 lux
23 hours constant light at 40 lux
1–5 days, then 23 hours constant
light at 3–5 lux,
or alternate 2 hours light at 5 lux,
2 hours dark
Other birds
Ducks and geese
Pheasant breeders
15 hours constant light at 10 lux
15 hours constant light at 10 lux
from January to end of breeding
season (about April)
Occupational health and safety (Safe Work Australia, 2011)
Corridors; cable tunnels; indoor
40 lux
storage tanks; walkways
Waiting rooms; entrance halls;
canteens; rough checking of stock;
rough bench and machine work;
160 lux
general fabrication of structural
steel; casting concrete; automated
process monitoring; turbine halls
Routine office tasks (e.g. reading,
320 lux
writing, typing, enquiry desks)
Fine inspection; plant retouching;
fine manufacture; grading of dark
800 lux
materials; colour matching of dyes
Table 2: Typical recommended lighting levels for various agricultural
applications.
Case study: Victorian poultry farm
lighting upgrade (ANL Lighting, n.d.)
Australian poultry farms typically used 75-watt incandescent
globes to perform the invaluable role of controlled lighting to
stimulate bird growth and egg production until a ban on the
sale of inefficient incandescent globes started growers looking
for more efficient forms of lighting.
The latest replacement globes to undergo trials are Micro-Brite
Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFL), which are said to
require much less wattage, consume up to 80 percent less
power and last 18 times longer. The Micro-Brite CCFL globes
used in the trial are dimmable and flashable as well as being
very energy-efficient. Lamps in Micro-Brite’s range (currently
in 3-, 5- and 8-watt versions) are rated to last 18,000 to 25,000
Lamp type
40W
incandescent
8W CFL
Hours per year
8,760
8,760
Watts per year
350,400
70,080
KWH per year
3,504
700.8
Kilowatt hour rate
0.15c
0.15c
Cost per socket
$52.56
$10.51
Total cost for 18,000 hrs
$108.00
$21.60
Total number of sockets
100
100
Total energy consumption
$10,800.00
$2,160.00
Lamp cost (GLS $1/M$30)
$18.00
$30.00
Labour cost est. $25/h
$75.00
$4.20
Total cost per socket (more
$201.00
$55.80
than 18,000 hours)
Table 3: Comparison of expected spending from a 40 W incandescent
versus an 8 W compact fluorescent light (CFL).
NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS)
When seeking suppliers and installers of lights, ask if they’re
Accredited Certificate Providers (ACP) under the NSW Energy
Savings Scheme.
Products that are certified under the scheme and provided and
installed by an ACP are commonly offered at much lower
prices, as they are partly subsidised by the production of
Energy Saving Certificates (ESCs or ‘eskeys’). In certain
instances – usually when retrofitting halogen lights with LED
technologies – the subsidy allowed by the generation of ESCs is
more than sufficient to cover the entire cost of the lighting
unit, and can therefore result in getting a new lighting retrofit
for free.
Consult the links provided at the end of this information sheet
for a list of certificate providers accredited under the ESS.
De-lamping
De-lamping can be one of the easiest ways to reduce energy
use and, as the name suggests, involves removing unnecessary
light fixtures in places where light levels are above what is
required.
Before removing any lights, you should conduct a light-level
assessment of the candidate premises. This can be done using
a lux meter and checking actual levels of illumination against
the minimum luminance levels recommended by relevant
lighting standards (AS/NZS1680).
Reflectors
Figure 2: Reflectors direct light downward from the fixture. Adapted from
(Green Riverside, 2014).
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FARM ENERGY INNOVATION PROGRAM - ENERGY IN SHEDS
Energy-efficient farm lighting
As shown in Figure 2, in some cases, a farmer can remove one
fluorescent tube from a bank of two without significant
sacrifices in light levels by using reflectors. You should also
consider wiping/cleaning existing reflectors to ensure light
levels are being maintained.
From an occupational health and safety perspective, every
business needs to ensure that after any reduction in light
output, its site continues meets minimum luminance levels
recommended by relevant lighting standards (AS/NZS1680).
Further information
NSW Government – Office of Environment & Heritage’s
energy-efficient lighting technology report (2014)
Brief:
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus/energyefflight.htm
Report:
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/sustainbus/140017E
EL.PDF
Technical details:
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/sustainbus/140016E
ELTech.pdf
NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS)
Information about ESS as well as a list of Accredited Certificate
Providers (ACPs) who can provide and install light products
subsidised by the ESS.
www.ess.nsw.gov.au/Overview_of_the_scheme/List_of_Accre
dited_Certificate_Providers
References
ABARE, 2006. Farm Costs and Returns – Statistics, s.l.:
Australian Bureau of Statistics.
ANL Lighting, n.d. Micro-brite CCFL energy saving lamps: A
shed load of savings, s.l.: s.n.
Bolla, G., 2007. Lighting of poultry. Prime facts.
Green Riverside, 2014. Reflectors For Fluorescent Lamps.
[Online]
Available at:
www.energydepot.com/RPUcom/library/LIGHT014.asp
[Accessed Janurary 2014].
Kindberg, L., 2010. Energy efficient lighting for the farm.
[Online]
Available at:
attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/viewhtml.php?id=341
[Accessed 2013].
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, 2013. Energy
efficient lighting technology report. [Online]
Available at:
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus/energyefflight.htm
[Accessed 2013].
Safe Work Australia, 2011. Managing the work environment
and facilities: code of practice, s.l.: s.n.
Lighting audits
A guide on how to conduct a lighting audit. It is aimed at
schools and for teachers but should apply equally well to
agricultural premises.
www.coolmob.org/sites/default/files/LIGHTING%20AUDIT%20
GUIDE.pdf
DPI’s guide to efficient lighting
NSW Farm Energy Innovation Program © NSW Farmers Association 2013
NSW Farmers gives no warranty regarding this publication’s accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability for any particular purpose and to the extent
permitted by law, does not accept any liability for loss or damages incurred as a result of reliance placed upon the content of this publication. This publication
is provided on the basis that all persons accessing it undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. The mention of any
specific product in this paper is for example only and is not intended as an endorsement. This activity received funding from the Department of Industry as
part of the Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program. The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the Commonwealth of Australia, and
the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for any information or advice contained herein.
Head Office: 02 9478 1000
Energy Info Line: 02 9478 1013
www.nswfarmers.org.au
http://ee.ret.gov.au
Content produced with
assistance from Energetics
www.energetics.com.au
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