On January 1, 2011, California required light bulb manufacturers to meet new efficiency standards to save consumers money and energy. California based its requirement on a federal standard signed into law and effective January 1, 2012, which required companies to phase out the manufacture of incandescent bulbs slowly over a three-year period. California merely enacted the standard a year early to avoid the sale of 10.5 million inefficient 100-watt light bulbs.
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A conversion to LED school lighting by a school district simultaneously accomplishes a variety of important goals. The energy savings can be substantial. Plus, LED lights are Eco-friendly in numerous ways. A lighting retrofit at a primary school in Peoria, IL is estimated to eliminate 1.76 million lbs of carbon dioxide emissions over the next decade. In a retrofit at Thomas Jefferson School, 600 T12 fluorescents were replaced by dimmable LEDs.
Fluorescent lights have been omnipresent in school buildings for many years. In fact, in many buildings, they have represented the primary source of electrical usage, by far.
Now, LED lighting addresses the significant shortcomings of such lighting. First, energy consumption is typically reduced from 50 to 90 percent. Imagine a $10,000 electric bill cut to $5,000, or much less. Second, LEDs do not emit the UV wavelengths of l ight that fluorescents do. UV light exposure is associated with the premature degradation of numerous substances, including certain plastics, and fabrics.
Third, fluorescents contain mercury. Accidental breakage of fluorescent tubes has often resulted in the need for very careful, and therefore expensive, clean up. Furthermore, the deleterious effects of mercury on the environment and on human health are well-documented. A conversion to LED lighting demonstrates concern for the well being of students and faculty alike.
Fourth, the greenish tinge of fluorescent light quality is both unflattering and an impediment to lab observations, for example, that require attention to color changes. By contrast, LEDs can be installed that closely mimic the light spectrum of sunlight.
Fifth, LEDs offer much greater longevity than traditional fluorescents. The long hours that fluorescents have to be in service in a school are self-evident. It is not only during class hours that illumination is required. Today, school structures are more multi-purpose than ever, For example, many high schools serve as campuses for technical colleges that offer primarily evening classes. And, extracurricular activities are as numerous as ever. What’s more, many sports practices, for example, require the illumination for large areas for hours on end. Basketball courts, wrestling practice areas, and swimming pools all require significant illumination.
To specifically explore what a LED lighting retrofit could mean for your facilities, please contact us at Relumination. Our experts will quickly assess your specific needs and calculate the savings possible
LED commercial lighting retrofits across the country continue to produce savings, offer truer, whiter light, and reduce long-term labor costs.
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Building and property managers who are serious about tackling the challenge of reducing energy costs have another reason to consider employing LED lighting in their plans.
A recent report from Pike Research says the growing move to LED lighting is fueling a drive by controls manufacturers to develop more innovative and sophisticated digital controls that will boost the energy savings potential of these systems.
These intelligent lighting systems are a growing market segment.
A summary of the report includes this observation:
“New technologies emerging in recent years have enabled a wide range of innovative strategies, from room-level intelligence of occupancy and daylight sensing to building-wide coordination of a fully networked system.”
The key to implementing any of these advanced technologies is LED lighting which is easily adaptable to digital controls.
The potential for expanding and enhancing the cost savings associated with incorporating LED lighting is one more reason to consider these energy savings options.
The use of LED lights has been a growing segment of the market and as costs have fallen even more building operators have chosen this option. LED has become one the hottest trends in retrofitting projects because of its energy cost savings.
Building managers looking to control energy costs, improve lighting efficiency and gain better control of energy use should consider LED lighting in their planning. LED lights can be incorpoprated for indoor and outdoor lighting needs.
If you want to learn more about LED lighting and how it can help you regain control of your energy usage, contact us.
There’s still plenty of time to take advantage of the Section 179d tax deductions available to commercial enterprises that convert over to LED lighting. The new lighting must go into service by the end of 2013 to qualify for this generous federal tax deduction.
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As healthcare costs continue to skyrocket, hospitals are scrambling to cut expenses in the day-to-day operation of their facilities.
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The city of Palatine, IL had to meet stringent requirements to be considered for a federal grant that allowed a city-operated four level garage to be retrofitted with LED lighting. The grant, delivered through the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity Grant Program, required a return on investment (ROI) of no more than seven years.
Success resulted in part from ‘due diligence’ studies conducted by DPW Director M. Berry. More than cost savings resulted. Tests of various luminares sought even, glare-free illumination. Various luminaires were installed at the garage, and customer input was solicited. Customers often noticed the absence of dark spots with the use of LED lighting. Color temperature was also considered, with the nod going eventually going to a 6000 K cool white LED.
Ultimately, the 451 existing metal halide fixtures were replaced at the Gateway Center Parking Garage in Palatine. The new LED luminares are rated at 70,000 hours, thus reducing maintenance costs in the parking structure. The LEDs are 90W, replacing 232W lighting. The new lighting in the parking garage offers the added advantage of better maintaining both color and illumination over the life of the LED. The flatter lumen depreciation curve is important to maintaining required illumination levels for such a structure.
The advantages continue. This retrofitted public parking garage helps Palatine to meet LEED requirements for lighting efficiency. The high resistance to temperature changes and vibrations has further added to the efficacy of LED parking garage lighting.
Contact us at Relumination to calculate the savings potential for your project.
Fluorescent lighting uses a combination of gasses and electricity to light up. Under normal circumstances, that combination of gasses and electricity would continue to grow brighter and brighter, but modern florescent lights use a device called a “ballast” to regulate the intensity of light coming off of the bulb. However, when electricity amounts fluctuate, that same ballast can flip your florescent light on and off very quickly, creating an almost imperceptible strobe effect. This, coupled with the fact that most florescent lighting is too bright for most workstations, adds up to be one major headache. Literally.
Even if you cannot perceive the flicker, your brain can still process it. Like subliminal messaging, the flash of light is there and gone before you can recognize it, but the message still gets through. This repeated strobbing of the light can cause headaches, eyes strain and other stress and fatigue inducing symptoms as your body tries to manage the sudden change in lighting. It can elicit changes in mood or contribute to that down-in-the-dumps feeling you get towards the end of the day.
One of the major factors that florescent strobe can play into is sore or strained eyes. Your eyes and brain have to focus and refocus or work extra hard to keep your pupil appropriately dilated for the changing light conditions.
LED Lighting does not use the same method of creating light, instead using the movement of electrons through a semi-conductor material, not a filament like traditional light bulbs (which can burn out) or through a gas like florescent lighting. This means that LED Lighting doesn’t need a ballast, and won’t flicker on and off like a florescent light, meaning no mini-strobe and no headaches.
If you are interested in LED Lighting alternatives for your home, office or school, contact us soon!
U.S. Federal and state governments offer many rebates for becoming energy efficient. Both corporations and individuals can benefit from energy-efficiency incentives. The U.S. Department of Energy has created DSIRE, which stands for Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. It’s an easy to use widget designed for users to search for applicable federal and state incentives.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, corporations can benefit at the federal level in four ways:
Federal Corporate Tax deductions
The Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction is a corporate deduction worth up to $1.80 per square foot available to owners of new or existing buildings who install qualifying interior lighting.
Federal Corporate Depreciation
Solar hybrid lighting technologies installed through 2012 may qualify for MACRS and bonus depreciation.
Federal Corporate Tax exemptions
According to Section 136 of the U.S. Code, energy conservation subsidies provided directly or indirectly to customers by public utilities are non-taxable.
Federal Corporate Tax credits
Solar hybrid lighting may qualify for the Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC).
In addition to the tax incentives listed above, businesses should also investigate federal grant and loan programs like the following:
Federal Grant Program
Federal Loan Program
Contact us today for help in planning energy-efficient lighting solutions. We’ll work with you to reduce your energy costs and we’ll even process your utility rebates for you. For more information on federal and state specific tax incentives, visit DSIRE.
University lighting methods are a topic of discussion as colleges across the US are finding out that reducing their energy consumption by switching to LED and fluorescent lighting technologies will have a huge impact on their utility bills.
Baylor University in Texas is hiring an intern this fall to figure out exactly how to proceed on their journey to cost savings eco-conscious lighting for their campus. LED lights are already in use on the walkway leading from Pat Neff to the Baylor statue.
Baylor is currently spending in excess of $9.5 million a year to light up their campus. They dispose of more than 25,000 light bulbs a year. They estimate their savings will be at least 50 percent. LED’s are more expensive up front, but if you factor in the savings over the life span of the bulb, the overall cost savings is impressive.
Temple University in Pennsylvania just announced a conservation plan that will drastically cut their energy bills. They plan to reduce their energy use by 25 percent over the next two years. A change in the way they light up their campus is in the plan. The University and Temple University Hospital paid $36.8 million for utilities in 2012.
The University of Michigan-Flint is replacing more campus lighting with LED lights and is looking for a 50% cost saving benefit and a reduced need for maintenance in the process. The new lights are dark-sky compliant. The light shines down, reducing light pollution. The actual cost savings for lighting McKinnon Plaza is $6,000 per year and another $18,000 per year for the UPAV parking ramp. Replacing the lights in the library is part of the overall plan and that will ad another $22,000 in savings.
20% of the energy in the world is used for lighting. To find out how you can reduce your consumption and your utility bills, please contact us.
