If your lighting is controlled by a time clock that switches the lights on and
off at predetermined times, you may have the opportunity to save some money.
Just an hour or two a day of unnecessary lighting adds up to substantial energy
costs that could be avoided by assuring the timer is doing its job properly.
Check the timer to assure it is set accurately and completely. See that it
coincides with the actual time of day. If there is ever a temporary power
disruption, be sure it is reset once the power has been restored, unless it has a
"memory."
Be sure it has all of its "pins," and they are properly placed. A typical mechanical seven-day time clock has two movable pins for each on/off cycle; so, properly set for a week it should have as many as seven pairs of pins, each pair in the correct positions to control the lights for one day. Make sure no pin is missing or in the wrong position. Make sure that the timer is properly reset during the year to take into account seasonal and daylight saving time changes in natural light, weekends, and holiday closings.
Photocells are commonly used to control outdoor lighting. They have the advantage of turning lights on when it gets dark and automatically adjusting for seasonal variations in daylight hours. If you use them, make sure the control is working properly.
