The Greenest Watt Is the One Never Used:
Six Lighting Philosophies for a Sustainable Future

How can lighting professionals make decisions that hold up against shifting codes, evolving technologies, and client aesthetic demands? In this session, Andy Letwin, Director of Lighting at EN-POWER GROUP, shares six philosophies that have guided 140+ New York City projects, generating over $25 million in energy savings. From retrofit-first strategies to prioritizing product quality and emphasizing serviceability, attendees will learn practical methods to maximize efficiency, preserve aesthetics, and avoid costly mistakes. Case studies—including the Bowery Hotel and The Dakota—illustrate how these philosophies deliver lasting results and actionable lessons for lighting projects across sectors and scales.

Learning Objectives

• Distinguish between high- and low-quality lighting products using key specification criteria (efficacy, lifetime, serviceability, warranty)
• Evaluate efficiency, cost, and aesthetics to determine whether retrofitting or full replacement is the best approach
• Apply strategies for integrating lighting controls and serviceability to maximize long-term energy savings and sustainability
• Identify common pitfalls in lighting proposals and recognize how shortcuts and low upfront cost can create higher long-term expenses.