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Stop Wasting Money on Your Lighting

Copyright (c) 2008 Sean Kennedy

As energy prices soar, companies across the UK are finding their annual energy bills are increasing by as much as 50% on previous years. With no end in sight to the rise in energy costs and faced with the challenge of slashing carbon dioxide emissions, we explain the 5 cardinal energy sins that which companies should avoid with their lighting.

1. Not using Voltage Reduction Devices

The UK's electrical supply has been harmonised with European Standards to deliver 230V however there is an accepted tolerance of +10% to -6% which means that the power delivered could be as much as 253V.

Strangely most electrical products manufactured for the European market are optimised to run at 220V and lighting technologies such as High Intensity Discharge lighting (HID), such as Sodium, Mercury Vapour, HQI (Metal Halide) and Fluorescent lamps can operate at as little as 207V.

Not only is this a waste, the problem is compounded by the fact that running equipment at a higher than optimum voltages can increase energy usage and decrease the life expectancy of a lamp.

By simply installing a Voltage Reduction Device, businesses and organisations could save up to 25% instantly and increase the life cycle of lamps by as much as 300%.

2. Not using lighting controls

Lighting controls have been a proven technique to reduce energy consumption for many years however many businesses and organisations have yet to invest in this technology.

Lighting controls go much further than simple dimming to include motion sensors, daylight sensors, light level sensors as well as timing systems.

These control systems can be programmed to an organisation's individual requirements controlling all aspects of the lighting from internal offices, stairwells, toilets, storage areas and external lighting.

Taking external lighting of a building, an effective lighting control system can reduce light levels and the associated energy usage by as much as 90% during inactive periods and immediately switched up to 100% when motion is detected.

3. Using Diochroic lamps in downlights

The simple truth is that if you have dichroic lamps in your premises you are wasting substantial amounts of energy.

There are literally millions of these fittings installed across the UK and provide one of the biggest opportunities to reduce energy consumption.

LED technology has advanced to such a degree that LED-powered downlights can now achieve superb light levels using a fraction of the energy.

LED downlights can achieve superb light levels using as little as 8W - a massive reduction of over 80% on a standard 50W dichroic lamp.

4. Using High Wattage SON or Metal Halide External Lighting

The traditional approach to floodlighting a building or providing security lighting has been to use high powered SON or Metal Halide fittings which can range from 70-250Watts.

These energy-sapping luminaires are costing your organisation thousands of pounds every single year in running and maintenance.

The introduction of advanced external LED lighting have seen new products enter the market which can achieve excellent light levels whilst consuming as little as 40Watts - again delivering superb energy savings.

As well as an extended life cycle of over 15 years, LED fittings also offer several additional benefits over SON lighting with brilliant white light, an instant restrike and the option for the entire lighting installation to be controlled via a PIR sensor for even further energy savings.

5. Believing that Replacing Lamps is Cheaper than Re-evaluating your Lighting System

The biggest sin of all is to stick to what you know and not explore the true costs of your existing lighting. Whilst it is guaranteed to be cheaper to buy a replacement lamp than installing new equipment such as lighting controls, LED lighting or an energy reducing device, the long term cost to your organisation will be considerably more.

With a range of incentives available from organisations such as the Carbon Trust, Business Enterprise Partnership and Salix Financing as well as tax benefits under the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme, there has never been a better time to re-evaluate your existing lighting.

The return on investment could be as little as 12 months depending on which solution is right for your organisation.

About the Author

Eness Lighting is one of the few lighting companies to focus exclusively on energy saving solutions and its expertise and experience has been called upon to advise companies and organisations of all size and across all sectors. Its pioneering approach to LED lighting is widely respected in the lighting fraternity for its commercial awareness and functional approach. For more information visit http://www.eness-systems.co.uk for more details.

What should I upgrade to?

I have a 75 reef with a 6 bulb 280 watt t-5. I want to be able to keep any type of corals and clams. Ive read that T5's are just as good as metal halides but they are more energy efficient and cooler and the bulbs last longer. If this is true should i just add another 4 bulb 216 watt T5 to my tank or get 2 250 metal halide pendants, or should I get a metal halide and T5 combo and just to keep in mind im a highschool student with a little income so which ever of these will work and be the cheapest would be best, and i can get a 760 watt 2x250 HQI and 2x80 watt pc's for 380's at 48 in., or I can get another T5 4 bulb 48 in for 125

it really depends on the depth of your tank.t5`s are OK if your tank is relatively shallow but anything over 18 inches deep really needs halides to get plenty of intense light to the bottom of your tank. i would suggest keeping the 6 bulb t5`s and supplementing them with just a double 250 watt halide ( without extra tubes ) you could then put them on timers setting the t5`s to come on for three hours, then for the halides to come on as well ( probably for about five hours together ) then for the t5`s to stay on for a further two hours. this would give you a "dusk till dawn" effect as in your tank inhabitants natural surroundings. the halides would give extra light and also extra heat as you would expect to get around midday/early afternoon in the wild.

24 gallon aquapod with 150 watt metal halide lighting