The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) recently announced that it launched an online Qualified Products List (QPL) for networked lighting controls (NLC), designed for architects, building owners, contractors, and other users to find NLC products for their projects. The tool is the DLC’s latest effort to broaden its adoptions of energy-saving and smart building-enabling NLC technologies.
Like other online QLPs for solid-state lighting and horticultural lighting fixtures, the NLC QPL takes data from DLC’s previous Excel-based NLC list and converts it into an online, filterable, and searchable tool.
Recent research published by the DLC illustrates the potential of NLCs to dramatically reduce electricity usage, while also providing a gateway to building intelligence. A 2017 study showed that NLCs can boost the energy efficiency of stand-alone LED commercial lighting projects by up to 47%. A subsequent 2019 study called “Commercial & Industrial Lighting Lifetime and Peak Demand Savings Analysis” found that utility energy efficiency programs that capitalize on system-level lighting efficiency measures – combining lighting technology upgrades with NLCs – could see an additional 22% lifetime energy savings on average.
The online NLC QPL has filters tailored to identify product features such as manufacturer, ease of installation, wired or wireless communication, energy monitoring, advanced capabilities, and more. Through a customized column menu, users can also search for options appropriate for their specific projects, such as color tuning and cybersecurity features.
