Quantum dot technology set to be commercialised…European lamp ban goes ahead…and a new lighting show for the Middle East. Lux Today Oct 13 2015 presented by Courtney Ferguson.
Published on 29 Sep 2015
Philips Lighting chief Eric Rondolat has called on international business leaders to act on climate change by embracing new lighting technologies. PLUS: Internet of Things is theme of this year’s LuxLive show in London. Lux Today 29 September 2015 presented by Courtney Ferguson.
The TM-30 method measures how LEDs render colours better than the traditional CRI technique
Lux Reports: A new way to measure colour rendering that is set to replace the traditional CRI metric has been unveiled and has won the backing of the US Government.
If adopted, it’s set to be the biggest change in methodology in the lighting industry in a generation and spells the end for the current Colour Rendering Index, whose history stretches back to the 1930s. The CRI method has come under increased criticism for its inability to accurately describe how well LEDs render colours. For instance, an LED can have a relatively high CRI but render red badly.
The new system has been developed by scientists for the respected Illuminating Engineering Society, and is commonly called TM-30 after the numbering system for its technical documents.
TM-30 is based on a reference set of colour samples that is more representative of objects in the real world than the pastel samples used for the CRI method.
Instead of the traditional Ra, lighting engineers would have to get used to the new Rg measure, which evolved from research into what’s termed the Gamut Area Index.
The new method has won the backing of the highly influential US Department of Energy, which effectively means the end of the CRI method in America and If the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), the standards body behind CRI, agrees with the new method, it will effectively become the global standard.
However, some years ago, the CIE refused to adopt another proposed alternative called the Color Quality Scale. Additionally, many manufacturers don’t welcome the proposed method. This week the Global Lighting Association – which represents 5,000 lighting equipment makers – said it would support an additional colour quality metric, such as one based on colour saturation, ‘that represents a significant and meaningful improvement’ but only in conjunction with – rather than a replacement for – the existing CRI system.
The organisation is also opposed to the establishment of regulatory or other minimum performance requirements for a colour rendering index of greater than 80 for indoor lighting applications.
In a statement, it said: ‘Currently the colour rendering index Ra is the internationally accepted and standardised metric for colour fidelity…. Significant research effort over the past years on colour fidelity, however, has failed to deliver a single new meaningful metric for fidelity that can be used by the lighting industry and replace the existing Ra metric.’
The new TM-30 colour rendering method will be explored in a special presentation at the LuxLive 2015 event in London in November.
We love LED lamps, but getting them to dim reliably can be a bit of a minefield
Lux reports: The adoption of dimmable LED lighting for new installations is rising fast, but with a vast retrofit market to address, there is an opportunity for further growth if the user experience can be optimised. LED lighting has already captured the imagination of consumers in a way that CFLs never did with LED lamps offering many of the energy-saving benefits of compact fluorescents but in a much more familiar package.
Consumers are able to buy lamps that look like the incandescent lamps they are replacing, which makes for a more comfortable switch. However, they are also expecting the dimming performance to be replicated and this is where a lack of information can lead to disappointing results.
Here are our top tips for getting the best out of retrofit dimmable LED lighting.
It is a common misconception that any LED lights can be dimmed with an LED dimmer”
DO choose dimmable LEDs
The number one rule for successfully dimming LED lighting might sound obvious but it is a common misconception that any LED lights can be dimmed with an LED dimmer. In reality, the driver circuitry must be designed with dimming in mind. Therefore, it is essential to choose lamps that the manufacturer describes as ‘dimmable’. The lack of an industry standard for dimmable LED drivers has, though, led to a myriad of different approaches by lamp manufacturers, some more successful than others.
Choose ‘dimmable’ lamps but be aware that this in itself is not a guarantee of a good dimming performance. It is, however, a good starting point.
DO stick to recognised brands
There is a lot of variation in the dimming performance, under test, of LED lamps described as dimmable. In particular, the achievable brightness range and stability of output are the features most likely to disappoint with unbranded lamps.
Some manufacturers are happy to label their lamps as dimmable even if they can deliver only the smallest change in brightness. Choose lamps from established lighting manufacturers. Aside from dimming considerations, established brands are also more likely to offer better product warranties, longer lamp life and more customer support.
Top tip: Stick to brand names that you can have confidence in and don’t be tempted to make false economies.
The escalating brightness of retrofit LED lamps has made dimming much more relevant”
DO read the label
To deliver a true retrofit comparison with incandescent lighting, it is important to consider the brightness range. Significant advances in LED lighting technology have been made in recent years, achieving far higher lumens per watt, even for the halogen-mimicking warm white lamps, where lamp output is often compromised for the more familiar incandescent hue. There is little point in connecting a dimmer to an LED light if it is dim enough already, so the escalating brightness of retrofit LED lamps has made dimming more and more relevant. Brighter lamps can give customers a greater dimming range.
Top tip: Read the label and select the dimmable lamps with the highest maximum lumen output.
DO ask manufacturers about compatibility
Most established lighting brands publish compatibility data on their websites. Dimmer switches are tested with various loads and the lamp performance graded. These grades are a useful reference point and can help when choosing a dimmer. It can be confusing though, when navigating the websites of international brands, to find dimmers listed that are not available in the UK. If in doubt contact the company to ask about their recommendations.
Top tip: Manufacturers want customers to experience the full potential of their lamps and will often be happy to recommend the best dimmer switch to use.
DON’T use a standard dimmer
Some lamps manufacturers may boast that their dimmable LED lighting can be controlled using a standard dimmer, but where this claim is borne out, it is likely to be true only when some very narrow criteria are met. Standard dimmers will be underloaded in most LED applications, exacerbating flickering and strobing effects, which, in turn, can drastically shorten lamp life. Standard dimmers are also not equipped to exploit the full brightness range, resulting in a disappointing user experience.
Top tip: Take claims of compatibility with standard dimmers with a pinch of salt.
DO choose a dimmer designed for LED lighting
DO choose a dimmer designed for LED lighting
Sophisticated dimmers are available to deliver the best possible performance from dimmable LED lighting. Some have several dimming modes to enable smooth dimming across the diverse driver technologies in the market. The brightness output a lamp produces from the same power input varies markedly between brands. For this reason, some manufacturers now include an adjustable minimum brightness setting so the user can access the full brightness range of a given lamp. An adjustable minimum brightness also ensures that any instability a lamp might exhibit at its lowest level of illumination can be avoided.
Top tip: Dedicated LED dimmers are equipped to exploit an LED lamp’s full dimming potential, better replicating the dimming behaviour of an incandescent lamp.
Design your lighting installation to ensure you don’t exceed the maximum load of the dimmers available”
DON’T buy your luminaires without first selecting a dimmer
Like all dimmer switches, those designed for LED lighting have minimum and maximum load recommendations. Design your lighting installation to ensure you don’t exceed the maximum load of the dimmers available. Splitting the load across more than one dimmer could provide a solution and give greater control by allowing light levels to be zoned in a multi-functional space. Until recently it was difficult to find a dimmer capable of controlling more than 100W of LED lighting, but some recent products open up the possibility of dimming much larger LED loads, up to 600W.
Top tip: It’s important to select a dimmer that can control the total wattage and quantity of lamps you want to dim.
DO read the instruction leaflet
LED dimmers often come with features designed to enhance their performance, but you may have to program the dimmer to access them. Don’t be tempted just to ‘plug and play’ because you may be missing out on features that will give greater expression to your lighting. For example, with some remote-controlled dimmers, enhanced scene-setting features may be unlocked using the dedicated handset. Some manufacturers have released how-to videos on their websites.
Top tip: Read the instruction leaflet or you may miss out on features and benefits.
This underpass near King’s Cross and St Pancras stations in North London is saving money on energy and maintenance since it had its old metal halide lights replaced with specially designed LED road tunnel luminaires from Philips.
The St Pancras Road underpass is a busy road, cycle and pedestrian route to the two major train stations, as well as providing access to Camden Council’s new offices. It was previously lit by around 100 twin-lamp metal halide fittings and the council saw an opportunity to visually improve what had become a gloomy and uninviting area. This was a ‘spend to save’ initiative to take advantage of energy-efficiency gains and lower maintenance costs while also reducing carbon emissions.
The lighting design was carried out by Philips and the new luminaires were installed by main contractor SPIE. SPIE’s John Broster said: ‘The previous luminaires were fitted into the soffit of the underpass and as this is a concrete strutted roof it would have been impractical to alter it. We needed a solution that could provide a direct replacement for the existing fittings.’
The stainless steel luminaires have been installed on a one-for-one replacement basis, to provide energy savings of more than 50 per cent. The new lighting has increased light levels and uniformity to remove the gloom, while the 4000K neutral white colour temperature has created a better and more inviting visual environment for users of the underpass. The tunnel feels safer and more pleasant.
The project also provided an ideal opportunity to make better use of lighting control. ‘As this is a short underpass the lighting only requires one-step dimming and we were able to adjust the existing system, using high light levels during the day and dimming at night to minimise the contrast for drivers entering the underpass,’ said Broster.
The council has achieved a significant reduction in energy consumption, while also reducing maintenance costs as the luminaires are expected to be virtually maintenance-free throughout their lifetime, and should pay for themselves in about five years.
Contact Novel Energy Lighting to discuss your LED lighting retrofit requirements. We work hand in hand with the major lighting manufacturers like Philips to specify, supply, and install projects. Tel: 0208-540-8287. Email: sales@novelenergylighting.com
Four different LED GU10s – showing the variation in colours available
Lux Reports: Nowadays, it’s nigh-on impossible to buy a luminaire from the DIY sheds or a high-street retailer which doesn’t have a GU10 cap. 12v lamps seem to have had their day as far as the mass retailers are concerned.
It isn’t difficult to match the light output of a 20W or 35W halogen GU10, so we have only tested LED lamps that claim equivalence to a 50W.
The European DIM2 regulation says that to make this claim, the LED GU10 lamp must emit more than 345 lm in a 90-degree cone. The total lumen output, including light that falls outside this cone, may be considerably higher. Some of the lamps tested emit over 500 lm so they would clearly be seen as an improvement if you retrofitted them in an existing installation of halogen GU10 (with the same beam width).
Our understanding is that all products currently on the market must conform to DIM2. But we regularly hear of lamps that don’t”
We’ve asked several experts, and our understanding is that all products currently on the market must conform to DIM2. But we regularly hear of lamps that don’t.
The problem for Joe Public is that some lamps don’t state on the box whether the lumen output quoted is the total emitted or within the 90-degree cone. Some quote both figures. Reputable manufacturers use phrases like ‘usable lumens’ or ’90-degree cone’ so you know what you are buying. However, until all suppliers mark their packaging clearly, it is impossible for the purchaser to make fair comparisons between the different products. No wonder people buy the cheapest or the one quoting the biggest lumen value.
The situation is made worse because there is no effective policing of the market. This, in effect, benefits the poor quality, low-cost suppliers to the detriment of the manufacturers of good-quality lamps.
One last point to make is that a 90-degree cone isn’t really what you would call a spotlight. For the non-trigonometrists amongst you, that’s a two-metre wide illuminated patch from a lamp one metre away.
If you are as confused as I am by all the test standards that cover LEDs, there is a useful summary on the LIA website. Look for Technical Statement TS01. It’s nine pages long and covers existing and proposed European and US regulations and guidance.
None of the 11 lamps we’ve tested here had a particularly high power factor. The best was Osram at 0.88 and the poorest were the Aurora and Bell at 0.52. Why does this matter? Because it means that you are drawing more current than might be apparent from just looking at the wattage. An electrician complained to me about this because he had to resize all his fuses in a (large) domestic house purely because of equipment with a poor power factor.
Before you buy the lamps, you should check what the beam looks like. Some have coloured edges or don’t have a smooth gradation of light from the centre to the edge. The three on the left of the main photo for this article are all rated at 2700K and the one on the right is rated at 3000K.
Summary of results
We were pleased to see that, generally, the performance was as claimed. We measured the total light output.
Note that we tested just one lamp from each supplier. There are always tolerances in manufacturing and so the lamp you buy may not perform exactly as the one we tested. However, these lamps are made by the million; it would be surprising if they varied that much.
Our testing was done at the independent LIA Laboratories in Telford.
Thanks to LIA Labs for their help!
Aurora Enlite 3000K, 5W
The Enlite is a brand new range of lamps. What really sets it apart from the other lamps we tested is the efficacy of 96 lm/W – almost 500 lm from 5W. It also has a 60-degree beam, wider than the others tested, which makes it much more useful for lighting areas where you want a general spread of light.
Output 493 lm
Power 5.1W
Efficacy 96 lm/W
CCT 2979K
CRI 82
Power factor 0.52
Overall ****
British Electric Lamps 3000K, 6W
Bell slightly undersells itself inasmuch as the packaging indicates 6W consumption whereas we measured 4.65W. However, the power factor was 0.52 and the measured lumen output 358 lm, just above the minimum 345 lm allowed by DIM2.
Ra is 82 per cent.
Output 358 lm
Power 4.7W
Efficacy 76 lm/W
CCT 3073K
CRI 82
Power factor 0.52
Overall ***
Integral LED 2700K, 7.5W
Integral’s 7.5W lamp performed almost exactly as claimed on the box. 7.4W versus 7.5W claimed and 499 lm instead of 500. That’s what you call tight manufacturing tolerances. The CRI was 80 and the measured power factor was 0.76, better than most. The packaging quotes both total lumens and those in a 90-degree beam.
Output 499 lm
Power 7.4W
Efficacy 67 lm/W
CCT 2633K
CRI 80
Power factor 0.76
Overall ****
Kosnic LED
This is a good little lamp. It quotes both total and 90-degree lumens on the package, 480lm and 450lm respectively. It’s actually an understatement because we measured a total 505 lm. 7W consumption is claimed but our sample was 5.6W. Bearing in mind it is 2700K, the measured 90 lm/W is remarkable. It has a 38-degree beam with quite a soft edge.
Output 505 lm
Power 5.6W
Efficacy 90 lm/W
CCT 2723K
CRI 83
Power factor 0.53
Overall **** A nice little lamp
Megaman 2800K, 7W
This particular 7W lamp consumed eight per cent more power and emitted nine per cent less light than the claims on the box indicated. The CRI was a whisker over 80. The CCT was pretty much as claimed at 2879K compared with a quoted 2800K. The power factor was a respectable 0.67.
Output 500 lm
Power 7.6W
Efficacy 66 lm/W
CCT 2879K
CRI 82
Power factor 0.67
Overall ***
Osram Parathom 2700K, 5.3W
As you would expect from Osram, this lamp performed almost exactly as stated on the box – 5.15W, 2688K, 355 lm against a stated 350 lm. The power factor at 0.88, was the highest we tested, so the electricians won’t have to worry about fuse sizes. In a way, Osram undersell themselves because they don’t quote total lumens on the box. A non-specialist – i.e. 99 per cent of purchasers – might think it doesn’t perform so well as the cheaper competition.
Output 355 lm
Power 5.2W
Efficacy 68 lm/W
CCT 2688K
CRI 81
Power factor 0.88
Overall ****
Philips MasterLED Spot 4000K, 5.5W
We tested the Master LEDspot MV, which is nominally a 5.5W unit. The measured wattage on the samples was 5.4W with a PF of 0.66. This lamp performed slightly better than the claims on the packaging, with a lumen output that was 8 per cent higher. It also had an Ra of 86; which is more than most products of this type.
Output 417 lm
Power 5.4W
Efficacy 77 lm/W
CCT 3890K
CRI 86
Power factor 0.66
Overall ****
Soraa Brilliant 3000K, 7.5W
Although this lamp had the highest wattage, it also had almost the highest lumen output and CRI. We tested the 10-degree narrow spot and this produces a good, clean beam with a clearly defined centre. This lamp is one of the Brilliant series, with a CRI of 80+ (Soraa is better known for its Vivid range, with CRIs above 95). There is also a useful range of clip-on lenses and accessories which can change the beam width or colour temperature.
Output 503 lm
Power 7.7W
Efficacy 66 lm/W
CCT 2834K
CRI 85
Power factor 0.78
Overall ****
Sylvania 5W RefLED ES50
This is a really good lamp. As you would expect, all the information is on the box. The power factor is much better than claimed and was the second highest we tested. The total measured output was 413 lm and this bumps its efficacy to third best. However, forget about the figures, what sets this lamp apart, both on and off, is its appearance. A lot of effort has gone to making it look as much as possible like a conventional halogen lamp. The front face really sparkles when you switch it on. If you care about lighting, this is the lamp for you.
Output 413 lm
Power 5.2W
Efficacy 79 lm/W
CCT 2768K
CRI 82
Power factor 0.83
Overall ***** BEST OVERALL: Good quality and great looking
Verbatim 2700K, 6W
The packaging says it is equivalent to a 57W lamp, but certainly the 465 lm output (in a 90-degree cone) means it easily betters a 50W halogen GU10. You can see from the table that the efficacy is one of the best we tested. Cooler lamps would be even more efficient than the 2700K version we tested.
Output 465 lm
Power 5.6W
Efficacy 83 lm/W
CCT 2697K
CRI 82
Power factor 0.66
Overall ****
V-Tac COB Spotlight
Although described as a spotlight, the beam is 110 degrees which could be misleading to the non-specialist – it would light from floor to ceiling if it was 1.5m away. The package claims equivalence to a 50W GU10 but the 90-degree beam lumen figure isn’t on the box, so there is no way of knowing. We measured 423 lm and 5.4W rather than the 450 lm and 6W claimed.
Output 423 lm
Power 5.4W
Efficacy 78 lm/W
CCT 2838K
CRI 81
Power factor 0.55
Overall ** Data could be clearer
Novel Energy Lighting sells a range of LED GU10 brands. Please visit us today to explore the options available, or email: sales@novelenergylighting.com for volume discounts
Parrs for the course: Parrs Wood HIgh School has demonstrated significant energy savings from Salix funding. Other schools now stand to gain even more under an enhanced programme.
Lux reports: The UK government entity that provides free loans for green projects has broadened its support for schools, offering an all-in-one programme that funds not just the equipment and installation, but also everything from an initial energy evaluation through training students and teachers how best to conserve energy.
The initiative, from Salix, covers a wide scope of energy-related technologies including LED lighting, computer cooling equipment, hand dryers, boiler replacement and insulation.
Salix will spread £2 million across 40 schools in three tranches. It has already selected the first 13 and hopes to select the next two groups after the summer holidays, a Salix spokesperson told Lux.
‘We are looking for a wide variety of schools including building type and age, geographical location and a mixture of primary, secondary and special schools to ensure the sample is a strong variety,’ the spokesperson said.
The money in this case comes from UK Department for Education. Salix is backed by DfE as well by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government.
Salix will require a typical payback period of eight years for the interest-free loans to the schools, although it might lengthen that period in some cases, ‘to ensure a school can implement all technologies identified in order bring them down to best practice and make them an exemplary school in terms of energy use,’ the spokesperson said.
Salix has funded schools’ capital costs previously, but the new programme adds the energy survey and ‘human behaviour’ training for energy reduction. It also includes ‘a document which advises what order to make improvements and to procure against,’ and ‘a financial model to show how to meet the costs.’
Under the former, less comprehensive funding scheme, Parrs Wood High School, a technology college in Manchester, used Salix to fund £10,600 in lighting upgrades and £63,700 on ‘building energy management systems’ (BEMS), leading to 45 per cent savings in lighting, and to 20 per cent and 7 per cent savings on gas and electricity related to the BEMS.
Salix had previously lent Parrs Wood £49,120 for an initial lighting upgrade, leading to annual savings of £13,863.
‘The Salix zero per cent interest loan was the most cost effective way for us to make long term savings and reduce our carbon footprint,’ said Parrs Wood head teacher Andrew Shakos.
Another government entity, the Green Investment Bank, lends money for green projects at commercial interest rates typically allows much longer payback periods. Its streetlighting programme can extend payments to as long as 30 years.
In a controversial move, the government recently said it plans to sell what could be a majority share in GIB.
Ivan Perre is readying the Tube’s lighting for the launch of the Night Tube, and the integration of stations with Crossrail. – Photo: Zarina Holmes
Ivan Perre is an electrical engineer for London Underground working within the integrated stations programme. Lux sat down with Perre to talk LED testing and plans for the future of the Underground.
We need to know how products will perform
I’m involved in a number of areas in lighting for Transport for London (TfL). While I’m an engineer by day, the majority of my work is in verification and testing of LED systems. I’ve researched in the field of photometry and how LED light is measured, and I have subsequently developed methods to more accurately determine LED lux levels. This means that we can have greater confidence in the products we specify but also have a better understanding of how they perform in the field.
We test products really carefully
Any new technology, such as LEDs, is under scrutiny and we have a responsibility to our customers to ensure there is sufficient light.
The optical filters used in lux meters are designed to replicate the responsiveness of the human eye. This is characterised by the spectral responsivity of the lux meter, which is a bell-shaped curve. By using some tracing software, I am able to trace out the graph and convert it into data, which I can then extrapolate to get the values for each wavelength.
Once this is done, I am able to simulate the given light and find out what the lux value would be, and then I can compare it to the ideal lux value.
This process ensures that we can collect accurate and important data, specify the right products for the job, but more importantly deliver a better service to our customers.
We’re thinking outside the tunnel
One of the challenges we face at the moment is implementing feature design more effectively. We are starting to change the way we think about the station environment and in the future, we want to use light in different ways to highlight certain areas, introduce contrasts and create different atmospheres.
This is especially important as we’re looking at potential retail opportunities down the line, which have a number of other prerequisites in terms of lighting designs and outcomes.
“In the future we want to use light in different ways to highlight certain areas, introduce contrasts and create different atmospheres”
The new Night Tube service is a maintenance challenge
The new Night Tube service is a maintenance challenge
One of the main priorities for TfL is to try to reduce maintenance. This is becoming more important with the Night Tube coming up, which is a round-the-clock service on Fridays and Saturdays on the Jubilee, Victoria, and most of the Central, Northern and Piccadilly lines.
This will significantly eat into our engineering hours, and we want to reduce the number of interventions required where lighting is concerned. The longevity of LED lighting is a big factor in assessing the suitability of new fittings, as they don’t need re-commissioning as often.
Stations need a consistent look and feel
One of the most important projects we’re undertaking at the moment is a series of substantial works across a number of stations to create an integrated look and feel between new and existing elements.
We’re working with Crossrail to assimilate the interface zones between services, so there is a consistent feel between the two and not a stark contrast when you leave one service and enter another.
Test schemes make a big difference
We’re lucky to have a number of successful test schemes at TfL to reflect on, which invariably inform new projects. A couple of years ago we implemented the first LED column lighting system on the underground at Wimbledon Park tube station, which was a turning point in upgrading lighting systems as it proved to deliver huge energy and maintenance savings.
Smart controls need to be smarter
One of the things we need at TfL is to be able to change the drivers once they’ve failed without the need to program them. We want the new drivers to operate within the current system as close as possible and when they don’t it’s an issue. When there is only a short hour shift, it’s difficult to go around re-commissioning fittings if there’s a lot to do.
We’re very keen on controls and there are a number of benefits including maintenance, energy and functionality. With a new design idiom being developed for TfL, controls will become an imperative as we’ll need to control individual lights to provide different levels and different intensities.
We’re harnessing the power of procurement
I’m also involved in procurement of lighting technology and innovation in Europe through the Pro-Lite project. The project allows public sector authorities across Europe to team up and pool resources. That way it’s easier to procure innovative technology and consolidate our procurement power to create economies of scale.
The idea is to set technical standards and specifications to create opportunities for improved lighting solutions throughout member states. We have recently released the technical specifications that we’re going to use to go out for tender and we’re also in the process of finalising a whole-life cost model, so we can make like-for-like comparisons of light fittings.
I’m excited about new lighting technologies
I like the idea of using organic LEDs (OLEDs) although I’m not sure how we’d be able to use them in our material compliance. I also like the look of remote phosphor as it sounds like it’ll be a big step up in terms of efficiency.
Visit our main website today to explore LED lighting technologies for your retrofit project.
Megaman has achieved another industry first with the launch of a wide range of LED products that incorporate a new Dim to Warm system which provides improved dimming performance with the warmth and characteristics of halogen.
Megaman has achieved another industry first with the launch of a wide range of LED products that incorporate a new Dim to Warm system which provides improved dimming performance with the warmth and characteristics of halogen. These LED’s emit a warmer light when they are dimmed with a colour temperature that changes smoothly from 2800K to 1800K when dimmed from 100% to 10%.
Megaman’s Dim to Warm LED lamps feature the same compact profile as incandescent and halogen lamps and are true equivalent replacements in terms of performance, appearance and ambiance. Megaman LED lamps with Dim to Warm technology include Candles, Classics, MR16s, AR111s and Integrated LED Downlights, all of which offer a long life of up to 50,000 hours and high lumen maintenance.
The result is a much more intimate LED lighting experience in commercial settings where lighting plays an important role in creating the mood, particularly the hospitality industry. The Dim to Warm capability also provides high energy savings and lower maintenance costs with no compromise in visual comfort.
Novel Energy Lighting supplies all Megaman lighting products. Please contact us for a quote today. Tel: 0208-540-8287, Email: sales@novelenergylighting.com
Alexandra Hammond is responsible for the environmental impact of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital – and lighting is a significant part of that
Lux met Alexandra Hammond, associate director of sustainability from Essentia, at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London. Here’s her view on lighting.
The hospital cares about its impact on the environment and society
I work for Essentia, which is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. I’ve worked for Guy’s and St Thomas’ for the past six years as head of sustainability. That role continues, and we are also able to offer our expertise to other public sector organisations. I look at everything to do with environmental and social impact for the hospital. And lighting is a big part of our energy strategy.
Upgrades are a challenge – but also an opportunity
I would say the biggest challenge we face is upgrading in areas that are quite sensitive, for example patient areas. Also making sure that we don’t get in the way. The exciting thing is that there are lots of opportunities, so if we can improve lighting in patient areas, that can only improve the healing process.
We are investing upwards of a million pounds in lighting at Guy’s and St Thomas'”
Our budget can accommodate change
We have a pretty comprehensive lighting upgrade programme across our two main acute care sites. We are investing upwards of £1 million ($1.5 million) in lighting at those hospitals. What we’ve done is to have an audit on their current lighting, and identified savings opportunities for a like-for-like change. But when we tender for the work – which we’ll be doing shortly – the idea is that we’ll be looking at everything, including biodynamic lighting.
We obviously have to see how we can work within the budget, but the wonderful thing about Guy’s and St Thomas’ is that it’s an organisation that thinks beyond direct paybacks.
Interestingly, the lighting project that we’re doing is part of a big energy-saving project that the trust is undertaking, so it’s about a £12 million ($17.8 million) overall investment in energy efficiency, and lighting comprises about a £1 million of that. What we’ve done is present the business case to the trust with a certain level of guaranteed savings. We’re doing an energy performance contract, so we have a partner that underwrites the savings. If it works within that budget and we get the savings back in, then they’re happy.
We want our patients to have control
I would love to do something creative in our patient areas, particularly on the care wards. We have a lot of patients that are in our wards for a significant amount of time, and lighting can be such an amazing healing factor. Conversely, the wrong lighting can be quite difficult for people, so it’s important that we get it right.
It gets exciting and interesting when you start to see how patients interact with light and how they can control it themselves and improve their stay while in hospital.
Lighting can be such an amazing healing factor for patients on our hospital wards”
LEDs are our default choice now
We do all our own internal maintenance, and we are very strapped for resources. We have an in-house engineering team and they’ve got lots to do. We’re a quite complex, variously aged estate, so the more that we can remove from them maintaining the basics, the better. If we can put in lighting that’s going to stand the test of time, that’s so helpful for us and gives us resources to do other projects.
The guidance we have is: ‘If not LED, justify why not.’ In some areas, we’ve upgraded to T5 so the payback is quite slow. But for the most part, we are moving to LED where we can.
We want our patients to be involved
My proudest moment will be giving our patients the control to make sure that, whether they’re in their own room or whether they’re in a ward, they have the ability to control lighting to give them the best experience possible. And that it actually works, because if the light switch is on and it’s right above the bed and it’s shining right in their eyes, that’s not going to do anyone any good.
The other thing is that we really ought to involve our patients in the process. We want to do some trials and get people to say: ‘I like this, I don’t like this.’ We’ve got the funding, which is the big thing, and we’re tendering for lighting in the next couple of months. My job is to make sure it doesn’t become a like-for-like switch-out, which it could. In some areas it will. That’s the sensible thing to do in some areas, but in others we need to be more creative.
One of the things I really am pleased about is that we’ve introduced photocell-controlled lighting almost across the board. We’ve eliminated the areas where we have lights on and bright sunshine at the same time.
I’d like to see more transparency and standards
One thing that would be really helpful with LEDs is more transparency in the way they’re manufactured and the quality. There’s still an element of having to go to the right supplier, the right manufacturer, the right… and that, I think, adds a premium to the likes of Philips.
But I also think that manufacturers could really help standardise. When we build a new ward, there’s a standard set-up for a hospital bed. It’s the number of plugs around the bed. It’s where the table goes, it’s where the lighting goes to a certain extent. It’s where the patient entertainment system is, and it’s a kind of standard thing, so we don’t recreate it every single time we do a new ward. It would be really good if there were a sort of standard set of principles that we could apply to patient areas. That would help us reduce the design costs, and to just get things done.
Novel Energy Lighting has supplied LED lighting for several NHS trust lighting upgrades. We have the expertise to work with hospital specifiers, survey buildings, and deliver quality LED goods with 5 year warranties. Call us today to discuss: Tel: 0208-540-8287
