LIGHTING
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: THE KEY TO BETTER LIGHTING
It is often argued that LEDs are the future of lighting and that other technologies are old hat, but that is not necessarily so, Steven Henry, managing director of Chalmor explains.
When choosing lighting, best practice involves cherry-picking the most effective technology for the space, from the full range of LED and energy efficient fluorescent options. This approach delivers the best combination of upfront capital cost, lighting performance, energy efficiency savings and reduced maintenance.
Offsetting the higher upfront costs of LEDs via energy and cost savings relies on long-term installation, so it is important to consider aspects of the building’s terms of ownership/ occupation. For example, if lease terms are short, or changes in usage or tenancy are likely, these long-term savings may not actually transpire. It is perfectly viable, however, (with the appropriate controls) to install LED and high efficiency fluorescent products alongside one another to achieve the best overall solution.
TEAMING UP TO WIN When the lighting scheme at
Redbourn Recreation Centre was refurbished recently, combining LED and high-efficiency traditional options unlocked energy savings of 42%.
Redbourn Recreation Centre in Hertfordshire is run by a Charitable Trust and serves the local community in St Albans and Harpenden.
The centre has long opening hours (9am to 10pm every day) and the main sports hall poses a challenge for maintenance as the ceiling height reaches 10m. So, when it became necessary to replace the centre’s 20-year-old fluorescent
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strip lighting, the priorities included reducing maintenance and cutting energy costs.
The new lighting scheme, supplied by Chalmor, incorporates twenty- four high output Chalmor SportLux LEDs installed in the main sports hall. These provide 12,000 lumens per LED (with spread of illumination in accordance with CIBSE Class III guidelines) delivering flicker-free light, to ensure the trajectory of fast moving objects will be clearly seen. Integral grilles protect against impact from balls and shuttlecocks. The LEDs have a 70,000 hour maintenance figure, which equates to over 17 years of use at 11 hours opening per day. Energy saving Chalmor BlueWave occupancy sensors, which switch off the lights automatically when the hall is not in use, will also extend useful life of the LEDs.
“COMBINING LED AND HIGH-EFFICIENCY
TRADITIONAL OPTIONS UNLOCKED ENERGY SAVINGS OF 42%.”
To offset investment in LEDs in the hall, the existing fittings in the lower- level areas (including the reception, fitness suite, bar, meeting areas and changing rooms) were retained, and the existing T8 lamps were replaced with more energy efficient Chalmor Refit T5s. These lamps require replacement more often than LEDs,
but at low-level, this maintenance will be far less costly.
These areas were also fitted with circuit controls to enable visitors or staff to alter the lighting to suit the purpose (for example lower lighting for yoga classes, or full lighting for high impact activities). Occupancy sensors were fitted in the changing rooms, to save energy in an area that had beforehand been lit continuously.
The installation was completed over a two week period and is now providing the centre with significant energy savings. Electricity bills were previously £1260 per month, with an additional £2,000-£3,000 outstanding at the end of each year. Within the first two months of new lighting, Redbourn Recreation Centre was able to move to lower monthly payments and wiped out its deficit. The centre can expect to save £7,350 per year, which will provide a four year return on investment.
Combining both technologies in the same building has delivered the best possible solution for the centre by improving energy efficiency, reducing the upfront capital cost compared to an all-LED solution, providing lighting that performs more effectively, and reducing maintenance.
In conclusion, both LED and high- efficiency fluorescent lighting have advantages. It is not a case of one replacing the other. When looking for the best possible lighting solution for your site, look for the option that gives you the best of both worlds.
www.chalmor.co.uk twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
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