Abstract
In 1993, a student-conceived comprehensive lighting
retrofit was performed in the Terman Engineering Center at Stanford University. The
project proposal anticipated a 46 percent reduction in energy used for lighting, which
translates to a 23 percent overall reduction in electricity use for the building. In a
quick analysis done after project completion, the retrofit designers calculated
electricity savings at 21 percent. 
The Terman Engineering Center,
Stanford University
This study takes a more in-depth look at the energy
savings resulting from the retrofit. It examines almost 6 years worth of electricity use
data for Terman as well as investigating one area where the retrofit is not living up to
expectations.
This study concludes that the original analysis
slightly underestimated the amount of electricity saved by the retrofit. This more
thorough analysis puts electricity savings for Terman at around 24 percent— a
significant reduction in energy use.
In addition, this report identifies one possible
reason for smaller-than-possible savings—occupants are not using part of the lighting
system in the intended manner. As part of the retrofit, 50 offices were equipped with
daylighting in order to offset some electric lighting. The field study included in this
report shows that the daylighting system is not being used effectively.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Professor Gail Brager
at UC Berkeley for her advice and support on this project. Thanks to Professor Gil Masters and Scott Gould of Stanford University for their
help coming up with ideas and finding data. Thanks also to the Pacific Gas and Electric Energy Center for
loaning the equipment needed to perform this study.
