This study compares LED lighting to conventional fluorescent and high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting within the VA healthcare environment. It calculates the luminous performance and life cycle costs of these lighting systems.

　　Lighting calculations were performed in typical VA functional areas which account for the majority of the luminaires used in healthcare construction: office and exam rooms, corridors, nurse stations, parking lots and garages, and warehouses and energy centers. The calculations are based on readily-available lighting systems and technologies from multiple manufacturers, and underlying assumptions for hours of use, color temperature, energy cost, optic types, etc., were made such that the calculations were performed to enable direct performance comparison.