Commercial Lighting Automation in 2026, Part 1: Exploring the Types of Control Systems

Commercial lighting automation continues to be one of the most effective ways for organizations to reduce energy consumption, control operating costs, and improve building performance. Lighting represents a major portion of energy spent in commercial buildings, and even in 2026, a significant amount of that energy is still wasted through outdated control strategies such as fixed schedules, over-lighting, and lights operating in unoccupied spaces.

What has evolved is not just the efficiency of the fixtures themselves, but the intelligence behind how lighting is controlled. Modern commercial lighting automation spans a wide range of control system types, from basic room-level controls to fully networked, advanced platforms.

The Evolution of AI and Lighting Control Systems

Artificial intelligence is now an important tool within advanced lighting controls, but it is one component of a broader automation strategy rather than the sole focus. This blog is the first in a four-part series that explores the primary types of lighting control systems used in commercial environments and how advanced controls, including AI-enabled capabilities, are shaping lighting automation in 2026.

Understanding the Different Types of Lighting Control Systems

Commercial lighting control systems generally fall into three categories: simple controls, centralized controls, and advanced controls. Each level builds upon the previous one, adding greater flexibility, visibility, and automation. In 2026, advanced lighting controls may incorporate AI-driven features, but they also rely on proven strategies such as scheduling, occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, and system integration.

Simple Lighting Controls: Room-Level Automation

Simple lighting controls are still the most common starting point for automation in commercial buildings. These systems typically operate at the room or zone level and include devices such as occupancy sensors, vacancy sensors, wall switches, timers, and basic dimmers. Each control is directly connected to a specific group of fixtures and operates independently.

These systems are effective at reducing wasted energy in enclosed spaces such as offices, restrooms, storage rooms, and break areas. When integrated with LED lighting, simple controls can deliver meaningful energy savings with minimal complexity. While newer versions may include basic adaptive features, simple controls generally do not communicate with other systems or provide centralized visibility.

For many buildings, simple controls remain a practical solution for targeted efficiency improvements, especially in smaller spaces or retrofit scenarios with limited infrastructure.

Centralized Lighting Controls: Building-Wide Management

Centralized lighting control systems represent a significant advancement in commercial lighting automation. These systems connect lighting fixtures, sensors, and switches to a central controller using wired architecture such as lighting control panels or DALI-based networks. Facility managers gain the ability to monitor and control lighting across entire floors, buildings, or campuses from a single interface.

Centralized controls enable more sophisticated strategies such as time-based scheduling, daylight harvesting, demand response participation, and global overrides. Adjustments can be made without accessing individual rooms, reducing labor and improving consistency across the facility.

In 2026, centralized systems will increasingly integrate with building management systems, allowing lighting to coordinate with HVAC, security, and occupancy data. Some platforms also incorporate analytics and optimization tools, laying the groundwork for more advanced automation without requiring full system replacement.

Artificial intelligence is now being incorporated into some centralized lighting platforms as an added optimization layer. AI can analyze occupancy trends, time-of-day usage, and historical lighting data across the building to refine schedules and control strategies automatically. Instead of relying solely on fixed programming, centralized systems can adapt lighting behavior based on how spaces are actually used, helping reduce unnecessary runtime and energy waste.

AI-enabled analytics within centralized systems also provide deeper operational insight. Facility managers can identify patterns such as underutilized areas, inconsistent sensor performance, or zones with higher-than-expected energy use. These insights help lay the groundwork for more advanced automation and future system expansion, all without requiring a full lighting control system replacement.

Advanced Lighting Controls: Networked and Intelligent Systems

Advanced lighting controls represent the highest level of commercial lighting automation. These systems are typically networked, often wireless, and built on open standards that allow devices from multiple manufacturers to operate within the same ecosystem. Advanced controls provide real-time visibility, remote access, and granular control across large and complex portfolios.

At this level, lighting automation goes beyond basic scheduling and sensing. Advanced systems can support detailed zoning, continuous dimming, asset tracking, energy monitoring, and integration with other building systems. These capabilities are especially valuable for organizations managing multi-site portfolios, high-occupancy facilities, or spaces with changing usage patterns.

AI-powered tools are increasingly being added to advanced lighting control platforms in 2026. Rather than replacing traditional control strategies, AI enhances them. Machine learning algorithms can analyze occupancy trends, daylight data, and historical usage to fine-tune schedules, improve daylight harvesting performance, and identify inefficiencies that static programming may miss. AI can also support predictive maintenance and performance analytics, helping facility teams make more informed decisions.

It is important to note that AI is one tool within advanced lighting controls, not a requirement for every project. Many facilities benefit from advanced controls even without AI features, while others may selectively deploy AI capabilities where data-driven optimization provides the greatest value.

Key Benefits of Incorporating Lighting Controls and AI

Lighting controls deliver value through a combination of proven control strategies and intelligent system design. Core benefits come from established technologies such as occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, scheduling, zoning, and centralized management. When properly designed and commissioned, these strategies often deliver energy savings exceeding 60 percent, while also improving consistency and control across the facility.

Incorporating AI into lighting control systems further enhances these benefits, but it does not replace the fundamentals. AI acts as an optimization layer, analyzing occupancy trends, daylight patterns, and historical usage data to fine-tune control strategies over time. This helps reduce inefficiencies that static schedules or manual programming may overlook, especially in spaces with variable usage or changing tenant behavior.

Operational benefits extend beyond energy savings. Advanced lighting controls provide centralized visibility, remote access, and detailed reporting, reducing maintenance labor and simplifying compliance with energy codes and sustainability initiatives. AI-enabled analytics can support predictive maintenance, performance benchmarking, and data-driven decision-making, allowing facility teams to proactively manage lighting assets instead of reacting to failures.

Occupant comfort also improves when advanced controls and AI work together. Lighting levels, timing, and transitions can better align with how spaces are actually used, reducing glare, over-lighting, and unnecessary disruptions. Rather than forcing occupants to adapt to rigid lighting schedules, the system adapts to real-world behavior.

As energy codes and utility rebate programs continue to evolve, combining advanced lighting controls with selective AI capabilities can also strengthen compliance and incentive eligibility. Many programs now prioritize networked lighting controls, and systems with enhanced monitoring and optimization features are often better positioned to capture available rebates and maximize long-term ROI.

Implement Advanced Lighting Controls with Action Services Group

Selecting the right lighting control system in 2026 requires a clear understanding of control options, infrastructure requirements, and long-term goals. Action Services Group helps organizations evaluate and implement lighting automation solutions that balance performance, flexibility, and return on investment.

To learn more about commercial lighting automation and advanced lighting controls, contact Action Services Group at 610-558-9773, email [email protected], or schedule a consultation to discuss your 2026 lighting strategy.