Tag: lighting

LED lighting: Reducing costs and carbon at the same time

Posted on by Josh Ellison

The past decade in carbon savings has been awash with success stories surrounding the installation of LED lighting systems. EIC has summarised a few public sector examples below and guidance on how your properties could benefit from a lighting upgrade.

Success in the NHS

A UK NHS trust made facility management news back in 2020, as it implemented a comprehensive upgrade to its lighting systems. Undertaking a site-wide LED installation meant that the trust enjoyed savings in excess of £180,000 annually.

The gains of the forward-thinking trust are not only measured in pounds and pence; the switch to highly efficient LED lighting, whose lifespan is more than quadruple that of its fluorescent counterparts, also means reduced maintenance as well as a significantly diminished carbon footprint.

Capital gives green light for LEDs

In 2020, the city of London underwent a large-scale retrofit of over 8,000 traffic signals, regulatory box signs and push buttons. Upgrading these sites to LED lighting is expected to deliver energy and cost savings of 75% for Transport for London.

“It’s making our infrastructure greener, more sustainable and cheaper to run and not only that but as LEDs are more visible it is making our roads safer…”

– Glynn Barton, TfL’s Director of Network Management

This conversion echoes another 2018 retrofit that saw 25,000 London signals at 900 sites upgraded with similar technology.

Hertfordshire County Council is taking this attitude a step further and has pledged to replace all the street lighting in its seat with LED illumination. The project reached its final stage in 2020 and the council expect it to reduce street lighting CO2 emissions by more than half. In material terms, this equates to 12,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and £5m saved for the residents of Hertfordshire.

The Power of LED

The commercial picture

The benefits of LEDs are not just public sector, businesses can also make significant savings with this technology. Consider that a 20% reduction in energy costs can have the equivalent economic effect of a 5% increase in sales.

The difference with an LED installation is that it is permanent, and not subject to market conditions.

Traditional lighting actually wastes 95% of the energy it uses on the heat it produces. Since it operates at low temperatures, LED lighting reduces this waste by 90%. This also makes LED a much safer option if the lighting is located near human activity.

By effectively removing this heat source, temperature control systems like air conditioning will operate with greater efficiency. As EIC’s TM44 blog demonstrates, this too can equate to significant savings.

The future for LED lighting

The use of fluorescent lighting bulbs is being phased out. As units break, they must be replaced with LED equivalents because the sale and installation of new fluorescent tubes and light fixtures are prohibited beginning in September 2023. This is not only because of hazardous substance of Mercury within fluorescent lighting, but alternating to LEDs also provides many advantages, including:

  • Strong energy efficiency
  • Extended service life
  • Adaptability in terms of light colour
  • Outstanding photometric qualities

How EIC can help

EIC’s Lighting Solutions, including complimentary lighting control systems, has helped dozens of organisations. These controls include movement sensors, time clocks and light sensors which can all support an LED upgrade in reducing costs and CO2 footprint.

The EIC service includes initial surveys to establish the unique needs of a site, later formulating a bespoke proposal. Once installation is complete, EIC will also provide supplementary training to teams within an enterprise to ensure the new equipment is used as effectively as possible.

A full breakdown of this service is available by contacting the EIC team here.

 

Lighting solutions for dark winter nights

Posted on by Sophie Wyatt

The past year has seen the world experience incredibly detrimental weather abnormalities. And the UK’s energy supplies have also been put under considerable strain. So now that we are in the midst of darker nights, businesses are left wondering how this will affect them.

The installation of LED lighting in business premises throughout the country has shown encouraging results. But if the UK wants to continue to progress as a sustainability leader, more businesses must follow suit.

20% of electricity generated in the UK can be attributed to lighting. As we approach COP26 and net zero targets, it is essential that we cut carbon emissions wherever possible and fully embrace sustainability. And to do this, we must incorporate innovative systems such as LED lighting.

We take a look at some of the benefits of making the switch to LED lighting for the darker winter months, and beyond.

Reduce emissions

Lighting accounts for around 5% of global CO₂ emissions. If businesses across the world made the switch to LED technology, they could save a whopping 1,400 million tonnes of CO₂. And while there are many benefits to implementing green practices, the reduction of emissions and the corresponding impact on the environment are surely at the top of the list.

Before a business can understand how best to incorporate LED lighting, it must first survey its sites and practices. Once these areas of high emissions have been pinpointed, you can then focus on reducing them.

Making the switch to LED lighting can hugely reduce a business’s carbon footprint. LED lights use 90% less energy than a typical incandescent bulb. And traditional lighting loses almost 95% of its energy, through heat production alone.

Benefitting budgets

LED lighting is the most cost-effective and durable option, for both businesses and households around the world. Making the switch to a different lighting system for buildings, possibly on multiple sites, can seem daunting. But the eventual return on investment will not only be beneficial in terms of time and money, but also environmentally.

These bulbs require far less electricity power and have a much longer lifespan. Sometimes even lasting an impressive 20 years. Aside from the environmental benefits, this will also save money for businesses, as they purchase less bulbs.

Boost corporate social responsibility credentials

Becoming energy efficient will also boost your corporate social responsibility (CSR) credentials. By improving green credentials, businesses can attract new potential clients while cutting utility costs and carbon emissions. Transparency is now essential for businesses, as customers around the world place increasing value on the environmental.

By demonstrating broader interests, rather than simply focusing on generating revenue, businesses can attract a loyal customer base. Prioritising the environment and customer wellbeing can also prompt word-of-mouth referrals and entice a broader range of clients.

How can EIC help?

It is within the best interests of every business to find simple solutions, that are both efficient and effective. The energy efficiency and long lifespan of LED lighting holds the potential to revolutionise the lighting industry. Boosting efficiency across the UK, and the world.

At EIC, we provide audits and a number of services that help businesses to decide upon the most effective and efficient solution for them. Our lighting solutions have helped businesses to upgrade their systems and reduce their carbon footprints.

Get in touch today to find out how EIC can help you to integrate effective and efficient lighting solutions into your business.

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