How Lighting Can Reduce Your Energy Bills
Businesses are feeling the pinch. The price of wholesale gas has risen by 250% since January 2021, inflation threatens to further increase the cost of living and disrupted supply chains mean that businesses have to plan even further in advance to secure stock. And with lighting representing anywhere from 15% to 70% of a business’s total energy costs, it is understandable why businesses are looking to reduce costs overall.
James Pomphrey, founder and managing director of 299 Lighting, explains how upgrading lighting to wireless, SMART and the latest in LED technology not only reduces energy bills but carbon footprint too. Making a business more sustainable and energy efficient, all with minimal disruption during installation.
The Power Of Wireless Lighting
A report by the Lighting Industry Association shows that by installing a control system to ensure that no unnecessary light is kept on, a space will experience energy savings of 60% or more.
One such system is motion or passive infrared (PIR) sensors. The infrared sensor is activated by heat and movement, meaning that lights will automatically turn off when a space has been left unoccupied for a period of time.
Daylight sensors detect prevailing light levels in a space and will only turn on additional lights if lux levels drop below a set measure. In the bright days of summer, the lights may not be switched on often, but in winter, lights may be turned on to bring the light levels above an optimal lux level.
In the post-pandemic era, reducing touch points in an effort to control the spread of germs is a welcome by-product. A light switch is one such point and often one of the most touched. As companies return to the office, installing wireless lighting sensors can be a hygienic solution.
Installing wireless lighting technology may sound disruptive but in fact, it is the least invasive option. All it takes is retrofitting a new sensor control system into an existing light fitting. No additional cabling, drilling or trunking required.
High Performing LEDs
Upgrading lighting to the latest in high-tech LEDs is a no brainer for businesses. LEDs are designed to be super energy efficient, have a longer life span than their lighting predecessors, and are fast becoming more affordable. All of which are key to reducing energy usage, carbon footprint, and bills.
Where LEDs really shine is their energy efficiency. And for good reason – on average, most LEDs have a system efficiency of between 50-120 lumens/watt, but it is rare to see an LED with efficiency lower than 80 lumens/watt in a commercial fit out. And due to 2021 EU regulations stating that 91 lm/W will become the effective minimum efficacy requirement for general service lighting as of September 2021, LEDs prevalence and efficiency will only increase over time.
In contrast, fluorescents and halogens are very inefficient measuring 60lm/W and <20lm/W respectively. It has also recently been announced that old lighting technologies such as halogens will be banned and phased out in line with the new Single Lighting Regulation, such is their energy inefficiency.
LEDs are incredibly long-lasting. A 12.5 watt LED bulb lasts 25,000 hours on average whereas a 15 watt fluorescent bulb lasts approximately 8,500 hours. Incandescent lighting lasts even less – a 60 watt bulb lasts only 1,000 hours. Over time, this means that an LED light can replace up to three fluorescent bulbs and up to 25 incandescent bulbs. Saving you money not only on your bills but your bulbs too.
High-tech LEDs may sound expensive, but their growing importance as both an energy saving method and tool in improving carbon footprints means that the technology is more affordable than ever. The estimated 40 billion cumulative sales of LED lighting products over the last five years have not only generated economies of scale but increased competition among manufacturers and furthered innovation to give customers the best price point. It has never been more accessible for businesses to upgrade their lighting.
Employee Productivity: A Welcome By-Product
As some businesses embrace hybrid working post-pandemic, customisable lighting ensures that the individual lighting needs of all team members are met and are adaptable from one day to the next. Customisable LEDs offer the maximum control of the light level and colour temperature for optimal ambient comfort in an environment.
While not an immediate impact on bills, LED technology reduces the risk of headaches, migraines, eye strain and more. This is due to the technology’s reduction in glare and flickering light while providing more even brightness on a work surface plane. Reducing sick days and injury among your employees.
Colour temperature plays an influential role in employees’ productivity rates and alertness. Investing in tuneable white LED technology allows changes in the tone of lighting, creating either warmer or cooler light. Increased levels of blue light, found in daylight, represses the sleep hormone melatonin which helps team members feel more alert, and as a result, more productive throughout the day.
Smart Technology: For Now And For The Future
Integrating smart technology may be a forward investment, but one that pays dividends down the line. Such capabilities can be added to a building via integrated DALI protocol technology into the building’s infrastructure. DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is a dimming protocol that enables two-way communication between electronic devices, which increases the smartness of buildings.
Smart lighting is made possible through built-in control modules, which are easily fitted and programmed to luminaires. This set-up allows any technical issues to be immediately flagged up on the monitoring system so they can be repaired or replaced quickly. The technology also allows for total control over which lights are on and when, as well as at what lux level. This ensures that no energy is wasted in the space and provides full transparency of energy consumption.
Such a system enables streamlining of resources and planning ahead by monitoring luminaire life hours. A system admin will be alerted when a bulb is approaching the ends of its hours, meaning that businesses only need to have exact replacement units on site. Saving money and valuable storage space.
With building refurbishments and fit-outs increasingly integrating such technology as part of the global push to reduce carbon footprints and energy expenditures, smart technology will only become a more critical part of interiors planning.
A Light In The Dark
Lighting is a big expense for business. According to the Carbon Trust, lighting accounts for 20% of energy consumption in commercial and industrial buildings, and comprises as much as 40% of the final bill. By investing in wireless, smart and high-tech LED lighting, businesses are able to maximise savings on their energy bills. All while lowering carbon footprint and increasing energy efficiency.
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