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Low Energy Lighting

FAQs | Low Energy Lighting

Will there be any interruption to my business?

Lighting is easily retrofitted. We usually do NOT need to rewire any circuits. Our installation teams are all employed directly. Our project managers will liaise closely with clients’ management to plan work in order to avoid any disruption to business operations. This may include working at night or weekends where required.

How long does low energy lighting typically take to install?

It is relatively quick to install, but each site varies. Most projects take between 1 and 5 weeks.

What maintenance is there on low energy lighting?

LED and HF fluorescent lighting lasts much longer than traditional switch start or HID and so relamping is done much less frequently. In difficult to reach situations we can deploy extra long life lamps, which are designed to last 60,000 hours.

What on-going costs are there?

Other than electricity and relamping there are no ongoing costs. The HF ballasts are replaceable so, in theory, the light fittings should last indefinitely. LEDs will need to be replaced every 30,000 to 100,000 hours, depending on the specific manufacturer. In particularly dusty or dirty environments fittings should be cleaned occasionally. Alternatively we can specify IP rated fittings.

Will it be more expensive to maintain than my current system?

No. Energy efficient lighting should require much less maintenance, because T5/T8 fluorescents and LEDs last longer than traditional light sources. For example for difficult to reach areas we offer a 60,000 hour T8 lamp, which directly replaces the old 8,000 hour versions. LEDs last 30,000 to 50,000 hours, compared with 1,000 – 2,000 hours from halogen dichroics.

Will it use less electricity?

Yes. There are a number of reasons for this, including higher lamp efficacy (efficiency) which means the new lamps actually emit more useful light than traditional ones. Also the control gear uses – or loses – less power. This is known as ‘parasitic loss’ and should always be taken into account when calculating payback. This also means less heat is emitted.

What are the environmental benefits that I can communicate to my staff or customers?

The new lamps are more compact and contain much less mercury than traditional ones. Combined with the fact that they last longer and are fully recycled at the end of their life, this means ZERO waste material going to landfill.

Will the low energy lights reduce my carbon footprint?

It is a convenient truth that using less electricity means we emit less CO2. In fact according to Carbon Trust data, for every kWh of electricity used in the UK, 0.5246KG of CO2 are emitted. So a single fluorescent light fitting  in an office running for 60 hours a week will emit around 150 KG per annum. The replacement T5 or LED version will only emit 69 KG CO2, a 56% reduction in greenhouse gases. By adding simple lighting controls this can be increased to over 80% saving. This also means less greenhouse taxes, such as climate change levy (CCL) and – for larger organisations - lower Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) charges. The Green Electrician Group are specialists in helping businesses develop practical strategies to achieve these reductions.

Can I use this lighting upgrade as part of my environmental policy?

Yes, lighting is usually the best place to begin, as it achieves fast results. It is also a statement of intent to visitors and staff alike and – if designed properly – improves their visual environment, helping to better engage them with your environmental objectives.

Will I see my bills go down if I upgrade my system?

Yes. The Green Electrician Group will produce an estimate of savings and payback for your new lighting system, based on real installations in similar facilities.

Will I receive the same light quality for my staff?

There is no point saving electricity if you have to work in the dark! Light sources vary in terms of light quality. There are several factors to consider, including initial light output, maintained light output,  light distribution and uniformity, frequency and flicker, colour temperature, colour rendering and scotopic/ photopic performance. More often than not, existing lighting systems do not ‘meet the grade’ in one aspect or another of the above. The Green Electrician Group take all these factors into account and will discuss the options with you, before designing the optimal system for your facility.

Can I use different colour lamps and dimmers with LED and HF flourescent lighting?

The colour temperature can be selected (in advance) according to personal preference. For example some people prefer warm white, others cool white or natural daylight lamps. Most LEDs and all fluorescent lamps can be dimmed.

Are the lamps recycled or disposed of in normal waste?

The WEEE Directive 2008 prevents any lamps going to landfill and ensures full recycling of waste material.