Feature How Lighting


Can Reduce Your Energy Bills


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.


Businesses are feeling the pinch. The price of wholesale gas has risen by 250% since January 20211 , it is understandable why businesses are looking to reduce costs overall. 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.


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 more3


.


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.


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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 20214 efficiency will only increase over time.


, LEDs prevalence and


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 hours5


. 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 years6


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.


, 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 costs2


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