LIGHTING & CONTROLS
If all the 32,000+ schools across the UK adopted LED lighting, the annual carbon savings would be approximately 1.23 million tonnes
organisations to replace old devices emitting carbon dioxide – such as halogen bulbs and fluorescent tubes – with newer technologies that are more efficient, such as LED lights. Under this ‘as-a-service’ model, an assessment
of current energy consumption and lighting levels will be made, and a bespoke LED lighting solution proposal will follow. No upfront payment is needed; only a fixed monthly service charge will be made – out of the energy savings – which covers the initial installation of new LED bulbs as well as ongoing maintenance. Optimum lighting levels are guaranteed. A number of companies carrying the Green
Economy Mark have been driving the global green economy by helping schools and businesses switch to LEDs using this innovative and hassle- free LaaS model. But more is needed. There remains a lack of awareness of such innovative solutions, despite the tangible cost and carbon savings they can provide.
THE FUTURE OF CLEAN LIGHTING
Following the ban on the sale of halogen light bulbs in October this year, Harvey Sinclair, CEO, eEnergy Group PLC, explains why LEDs are an essential step on the road to net zero
O
n 1 October 2021, the government introduced a ban on the sale of halogen light bulbs as
part of its plans to tackle climate change. A similar ban on fluorescent lights is expected to come into effect within the next two years. This enforced switch to LED bulbs is predicted to cut 1.26 million
tonnes of CO2 from UK households – the equivalent of removing more than half a million cars – which is undoubtedly a positive step in the lighting industry’s transition to net zero. Yet with COP26 not delivering the substantial
changes required to meet net zero, it’s important for anyone in energy management to act quickly and decisively. The time lag between Government legislation and on-the-ground change could be costly, and more disruptive efforts are needed to overhaul how we purchase, manage and consume energy.
THE BENEFITS OF LEDS With a lifespan of 25-30 years – five times longer than halogen bulbs – LED lights are widely recognised as the most energy-efficient type of lighting. They emit a better quality of lighting but use 80% less power than a halogen equivalent. This reduction in carbon emission is particularly
significant in large-scale settings such as schools and offices. As an example, if a school switched
to LED it would, on average see its annual CO2 emissions drop by 38.5 tonnes. Given that much
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of the lighting in UK schools is either halogen or fluorescent, if all the 32,000+ schools across the UK adopted LED lighting, the annual carbon savings would be approximately 1.23 million tonnes – the equivalent to planting more than 56 million trees. So why aren’t all schools and businesses making
that change? Currently, around two-thirds of bulbs sold in Britain are LEDs, but schools and businesses have been put off by the prospect of having to pay a hefty bill retrofitting their premises. There is also a lack of awareness of more disruptive energy financing models such as Light-as-a- Service (LaaS). In addition to saving significant volumes of carbon, these models can be implemented with zero capital outlay.
SWITCHING TO LED WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK A recent analysis of government data shows that the amount of money spent by schools on energy bills has increased by 6.5% in the past five years. With lighting accounting for half of a school’s total electricity costs, the potential cost savings of switching to an energy-efficient lighting method are not insignificant. New business models have emerged to
provide energy reduction and decarbonisation solutions without the need for capital investment. The LaaS model enables
ENERGY MANAGEMENT - Winter 2021 31
ACTION REQUIRED As world leaders struck the Glasgow Climate Pact at the COP26 Summit to plan for more urgent emission cuts, business leaders must also take the requisite climate action themselves, rather than waiting for Governmental support. There is, however, hope. We’ve spoken to
schools that say ‘we’ll do it next year’, which means less financial savings and less carbon reduction. But schools also need to be seen to be engaging with the green agenda, so it’s a conversation that we are having less. The ban on selling halogen lightbulbs is akin to
completing the first few metres of a marathon. It’s a good start, but there is so much further to go. Much of the lighting in UK schools is either halogen or fluorescent, and fluorescent lighting will remain on sale until 2023. That’s another two years of energy stagnation when the country could be making much quicker progress. Replacing legacy lighting with LED lighting
can be transformative, improving lighting in classrooms (and workplaces), saving money and reducing carbon use. It also means that dilapidated and potentially dangerous older equipment is taken out, making a safer learning and working environment. LED lighting is an essential step on the road
to net zero. But climate change won’t wait. To sustain the marathon to net zero, more action is needed, now.
eEnergy Group
https://eenergyplc.com
Harvey Sinclair, CEO, eEnergy Group PLC
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