There are many easy ways facility managers can make fast and permanent changes to their lighting that will save on energy, slash maintenance and give quick paybacks. Swapping traditional technologies for LED is the easiest of all…

There must be things that the hard-pressed facilities manager can do to make their job just a little bit easier, and maybe save a bit of money for better things. Here’s a list of actions that shouldn’t take too much effort to work out and which should see immediate benefits.

Replace 2D lamps with LED modules

There’s no reason why utility bulkheads in service areas should still be fitted with 2D fluorescent lamps. There are plenty of efficient LED alternatives designed specifically to replace the 2D lamp. They’ll provide around 70% energy savings, with improved light output across a lamp life of around 50, 000 hours.

But be careful and do a bit of research. Switching from a fluorescent 2D lamp to an LED retrofit isn’t only an easy fix for you; it’s also an easy option for unscrupulous manufacturers and suppliers, so be sure of who you’re dealing with.

Eliminate all tungsten lamps

There may be a very special reason why THAT filament lamp needs to stay in THAT fixture in THAT room, but otherwise there really is no excuse to be holding onto any filament lamps.

Let’s remind ourselves of the facts: tungsten and tungsten halogen lamps operate at around 10 – 20 lm/W, compared with LED retro-fit lamps that start at 60lm/W and only get better. And some of those LED lamps can be dimmed, making the savings even greater.

The usual warning about LED product needs to be aired here. There are companies out there who just want to take your money and offer very little in return apart from problems. Make sure that you know who you’re dealing with when it comes to LED retro-fit lamps.

Swap out T12 fluorescent tubes

Extraordinarily, it’s still possible to buy T12 fluorescent lamps, because there are still companies making them. It’s like calling into a Ford dealership and being offered a Cortina. The only reason for still using a T12 fluorescent lamp is because no one’s got round to changing those 1800mm and 2400mm battens that were installed thirty years ago.

So, on the grounds that anything else is better than a T12 lamp (except a filament lamp) it’s time to replace the old fixtures with some modern technology. These days that will mean a one-for-one replacement with either an LED fixture or a T5 fluorescent equivalent, depending on which gives you the better performance for the task.

Install presence sensors in toilets

Lights being left on when rooms are vacant is just wasted energy. The simplest fix is to install a movement sensor on the ceiling, wired between the light switch at the door and the light fittings. Then all you need to do is to change the wall-switch to a secure key switch – and leave it in the ON position.

The sensor will detect when someone comes into the toilet and switch on the lights automatically. So far, so easy, but there is one issue that always needs to be taken care of – its no comedy when the lights go out and you’re tucked away in a cubicle. Good sensors are fitted with adjustable time-settings to avoid embarrassment.

Fit absence detectors where you can

If we accept the argument that lighting an empty room is a waste of energy, then we might shift our attention to an energy management structure that might bring savings from working spaces beyond the toilets.

The quick fix is to accept that every room needs to be taken on its merits and provide such energy saving technology as may be relevant. Don’t get hung-up on an estate-wide solution; do what you can and what makes sense.

The common situation is that a room is vacated and stays empty for a decent length of time, with the lighting left ON. Installing absence sensors into the lighting circuit ensures that an empty room automatically switches to an unlit room. Absence detectors switch the lighting off but do not switch the lighting back on when someone comes into the room; that decision is left with the occupants.

The only gripe about absence detectors is that they promote lazy thinking – see ‘education’ below.

Use daylight controls

Most of the time we’re thinking about saving energy from artificial lighting after dark, or in rooms where there is little or no natural light. But, where its available, natural light equals free illumination.

The easy catch is the area along windows where daylight ingress will exceed interior light levels for much of the day. What happens next depends on the state of the ceilings. If rooms are fitted with a suspended ceiling system then there is a readily available easy fix. Install daylight sensors along the window line and create two zones, one that is lit 100% by artificial lighting, while the other benefits from available daylight.

There are varying levels of sophistication around daylight controls, with some buildings controlled so that each run of light fittings (parallel to windows) has separate control. That may be a step too far, but there’s no need to walk away from the idea when a simplistic option is available.

Manage your exterior lighting

This calls for a bit of analysis but can give you a satisfying return on the effort. All external areas can be assessed by their usage and their security needs. A space that is in use at all hours and has serious security requirements will need lighting throughout the hours of darkness, and will probably be supported by a CCTV system. On the other hand, a back-of house loading area that is only ever in use during normal working hours and which is otherwise inaccessible may need nothing more than some low-level security lighting that can be triggered by sensors.

Working through the estate, zoned lighting installations can be retro-fitted with sensors and time-switches to guarantee energy savings, and probably make life for those in neighbouring properties a bit more comfortable.

Swap emergency bulkheads for self-test luminaires

The emergency lighting regulations require regular testing of the emergency lighting installation.  In a large estate this has been compared to painting the Forth Bridge and it’s not surprising to hear that some installations receive only the minimum attention needed to stay on the right side of legal.

The easiest fix is simply to remove the old self-contained luminaires that are controlled via a key-switch by the door and replace them with luminaires that contain internal circuitry that enables the luminaire to monitor itself. Regular checks then only require a visual check of the LED display on each fitting, making life far easier for technical staff.

An important note, though. You’ll still have to carry out the annual real-time inspection. Getting free from that chore requires a far more complex solution.

Educate your occupants

The most cost-effective method of energy management is to have knowledgeable building users who understand the implications of lights being switched on and left on when it’s not necessary. The best type of sensor is the person with their finger on the light switch.

Of course, the potential hazard lurking behind any kind of well-intentioned behavioural training is that you end up alienating exactly those people you need to encourage. Teaching staff members to be more alert to energy management needs careful handling; but once the argument is won, the benefits are there for a long, long, time.

Oh, and clean your fittings!

Once all is said and done, and the installation is working well, with all the sensors fitted and staff members on-message there’s still one thing to get to grips with, and that is cleaning.

Most commercial and industrial light fixtures are technical constructions. They have reflectors and diffusers and these will need regular cleaning if the light levels aren’t to fall below acceptable standards. What ‘regular cleaning’ means in practice will be determined by local environment and health & safety factors. Clean Rooms are probably already being kept in an immaculate state, but back-of-house service areas are possibly running at less than the optimum level.

A good cleaning regime means that money is not being wasted by dust and grime stopping that expensive light getting out of the fixture.

Call us to discuss lighting for your premises: 0208-540-8287. Visit www.novelenergylighting.com to explore our range of LED downlights, LED tubes, LED panels, and sensors.

facility management · FM · led 2d · LED downlights · led lighting · led panels · led tubes · lighting · Novel Energy Lighting · occupancy sensors · PIR sensors

The UK’s failure to ensure industrial and commercial buildings are comfortable and energy efficient is a ‘scandal’, according to energy charity the National Energy Foundation.

energy efficiency · energy-efficient buildings · facility management · led lighting · lighting · low energy building · low energy lighting · National Energy Foundation · Novel Energy Lighting

LUX magazine reports:

09 JUNE 2014

connected systems · led lighting · lighting · lighting design · network lighting · Novel Energy Lighting

Philips launches the new MasterLED VALUE GU10 spot range, delivering MASTER LED quality and performance where longest lifetime is not required.

Same high quality light output, Dimmable, but with a 3yr warranty instead of 5yrs, and a price to suit!

Key Features and Benefits:
– Eco design DIM2 compliant
– Dimmable
– 25,000 hours lifetime
– 36° flood beam angle
– Best energy consumption

Applications: Hotels, Restaurant, Bars, Homes

Available in three colour temperature to suit most requirements, from 2700K (warm white), 3000K (white), to 4000K (cool white).

The Philips MasterLED VALUE 5.3W GU10 is equivalent to a 50W halogen, and is priced as low as £6.99ea +VAT

The Philips MasterLED VALUE 4.5W GU10 is equivalent to a 35W halogen, and is priced as low as £5.70ea +VAT

Philips is trusted in lighting, and their lamps deliver. Visit us today to find out more about these impressive bulbs.

www.novelenergylighting.com

energy efficient · energy savings · led bulb · led GU10 · led lamp · lighting · master led · masterled value · Novel Energy Lighting · philips led · philips masterled

Philips has announced extensions to its popular MasterLED retrofit lamps range, and also to LED fittings and luminaires.

First-up:

Philips Coreline Spot – these downlights now come bundled with Philips award-winning MasterLED GU10 5.5W Dimmable lamp (5 year warranty):

Philips also launch their Coreline Wall Mounted LED anti-vandal bulkhead, which comes in multiple outputs, and is available with integral emergency, PIR. This effectively replaces the Gondola

Philips Coreline Wall Mount

Retrofit Lamps:

Next we see an impressive increase in the output of Philips MasterLED Candles and Lusters (golfs). Philips expand their range by supplementing the existing 4W=25W (250lm) range with the new 6W=40W (470lm) range of clear Candles (E14, E14 flametip, B22) and Lusters (E14, E27). All these products now incorporate their special ‘DiamondSpark’ lighting effect for a truly wonderful ambience:

Other impressive launches are the new PAR20 lamp, which is now a 6.5W retrofit with much higher lumens than the previous 7W model:

AND, the previously announced MasterLED Tube VALUE, which allows HF/Electronic fittings to be retrofitted without rewiring a fluorescent fittings:

We are able to supply all of the above products, and the rest of the Philips LED portfolio. Please contact us to discuss your needs, and volume pricing.

Shuttla

diamondpsark · led bulkhead · led candle · led golf · led luster · led lustre · LED PAR20 · led tube · lighting · masterled · Novel Energy Lighting · philips led spring range

Courtesy of Lux Magazine:

Updated Part L to come into force in April 2014

The long awaited new version of Part L- the section of the Building Regulations that covers energy efficiency will come into force in April 2014, the government has announced. The new regulations will insist on a 6% cut in CO2 emissions for new homes, and 9% for non-domestic buildings – significantly less than the 20% originally envisioned. Baroness Hanham also told Parliament that minimum efficiency standards for non-domestic lighting upgrades will be strengthened.

The regulations were originally supposed to come into force this year. The government now says the full regulations and impact assessment will be published ‘shortly’ with guidance to be published ‘ during the course of the summer’.

Lighting industry figures have been frustrated by the uncertainty surrounding the contents of the new regulations. Communities minister Don Foster said “Today’s measures mean business and householders will not only benefit from reduced energy bills but they will also know they are doing their bit to tackle climate change”

More legislation news:

Large firms face energy assessments

building regulations · LED · lighting · lighting legislation · lighting regulations · Novel Energy Lighting · uk

An interesting article by Kosnic:

LEDs were invented more than 50 years ago but they have taken decades to provide their worth in mainstream applications.  Problems with colour rendition, lack of standardisation, and inability to dim have given LED lams a bad press and created confusion within the marketplace.

However, innovations in LED lighting technology and new product development are prompting an e-evaluation of whether now is the right moment to realise the carbon savings and energy efficiency of LEDs.

There are three main benefits of LEDs:

Robust
LEDs are solid state light sources and so are very robust.  While an incandescent lamp will last for approximately 1,000 hours, an LED alternative will last for up to 40,000 hours.  Many manufacturers will be happy to guarantee this period of operation, offering free replacements in the event of early failure.

Therefore, an LED lamp fitted in a reception area and used for seven hours every day of the week, will still be functioning after 10 years.  This delivers both energy and maintenance savings.  In a large office or hotel, it is common to find one person from the mainainance stream dedicated to changing light bulbs!  Switching to LEDs allows mainainance staff to focus on other activities.

Energy savings
The real cost savings, however, are apparent when calculating energy savings.  LEDs are highly efficient light sources that release only a tiny amount of heat and have low power consumption.  There are millions of GU10 halogen lamps in use within canteens, reception areas, consulting rooms, etc.  The LED direct replacement for this halogen lamp is 88% more efficient giving the following cost-benefit calculation:

The cost of the 50W GU10 is £1.00

The cost of a LED replacement is £9.00

If the lamp is lit for 12 hours per day, with an electricity cost £0.12 per KWH, the cost of operation for the conventional lamp will be £20.00 per year, whereas the LED is only £2.40. Even taking the initial purchase price in to consideration, the payback period will be seven months. Remember, these are the figures for only one lamp.

Versatile
Many LED lamps can be retrofitted in five minutes and, unlike old-style bulbs, they light instantly.  Businesses should look for quick wins such as areas where lamps are lit for long periods and lights are kept on for more than 5 hours a day. Good examples include corridors, stairwells and landings, reception areas, offices and warehouses, and canteens and rest rooms. Used in these areas, LED lighting can also provide a better quality of light than traditional bulbs – eliminating flickering and associated ailments such as headaches and eye strain.  LED lighting also gives off negligible heat and so is safer for environments where lamps are situation close to staff.

This safety, the need of the public sector to tackle carbon emissions and reduce costs, coupled with product innovation from LED manufacturers means that re-evaluating lighting strategies is now a potentially highly valuable exercise.

shuttla

Novel Energy Lighting

energy saving · lamps · LED · LED lamps · lighting · payback