Services
If you would like a proposal or more information for any of the services listed below then please use our "Client enquiry" form.
Energy efficiency scans (lighting energy cost assessments).
Is lighting efficiency just a comparison of luminaire energy cost and lumen output? The answer is no.
The efficiency of a lighting scheme can involve many factors and the decision to invest in more energy efficient luminaires should be based on an informed position. To give an example; The fuel consumption of a vehicle can vary considerably based on how much weight is added, what comfort features are being used, and very importantly, HOW the vehicle is driven.
This level of variation is the same for lighting. The hours of use, occupancy, the use of natural light, lamp type, sensor controls,etc.
Our scans are a three part study;
- Establishing the inventory and effective operation.
- Assessing the current energy cost based on part 1.
- Reviewing the minimum investment required to increase the efficiency of the existing scheme.
- Retrofit possibilities, with investment and payback forecasts.
- Luminaire replacement, with investment and payback forecasts.
- Consolidation of parts 1-6 to provide a "best choice" strategy for energy efficiency in ration to investment.
This provides a detailed analysis of what the "real" cost is of your lighting scheme and what the investment would be to improve that efficiency, first without a luminaire change and then comparing the investment to a retrofit model (where possible), a full replacement model and finally a "best choice" consolidation of the parts:
The provides a detailed study for the Client's management to enable an informed decision.
Retrofit advice & planning
A retrofit of an existing tradition luminaire with a LED lighting unit, appears to offer an almost "no question" regarding the investment required. However, this is certainly not the case and many users have found, to their great frustration, that this strategy has not performed as expected.
It is is absolutely correct that a properly planned retrofit strategy can have a major impact on lighting energy costs but there are some very careful considerations to be made.
LED lighting is a completely different lighting technology and illumination impact. Replacing a "fluorescent" tube with an "LED" tube, is NOT a lamp replacement, it is removing a gas-filled lamp and inserting a stand-alone LED luminaire into the power points of the existing luminaire.
The illumination characteristics are completely different. A traditional lamp emits light in 360 degrees an LED device is up to a maximum 170 degrees. This means that direct illumination is generally greater with an LED device (dependent on power equivalence) but it has a much lower reflective impact (indirect illumination). This means the position/location of the existing luminaire has a high impact on the type and/or suitability for a retrofit solution. Therefore a comparative analysis is not purely a power/lumen criteria. On too many occasions, users have found that they have fallen below regulatory compliance on their illumination levels.
The other very critical fact, is that not all LED devices of the same power are the same. The variations in their respective power & thermal profile design has a dramatic impact on failure rate and/or lumen degradation. It is not a well understood fact, that LED's produce a lot of heat (not radiated heat, meaning no infra-red), in fact , circa 85%. This heat MUST be extracted and in a retrofit situation, this factor is magnified. Heat is the biggest enemy of LED and if two high, it WILL mean a higher failure rate and fast degradation.
Therefore the choice of LED retrofit is vital, to ensure that the expected dramatic savings can also be complimented by a long and productive life of the retrofit device.
As we are also consultant advisors to the LED lighting manufacturing industry, we are well aware of the differences and the problems associated with low-quality LED devices.
Replacement advice & planning
Much the same can be said for a full replacement with a LED luminaire as previously stated for a retrofit. However, unlike retrofit the device is designed around the LED lighting performance and not to "fit" in a traditional luminaire body. This means they are generally more stable and have a longer life.
BUT, using the same analogy as vehicles, there is great variation in quality and necromancer and it is important to select the right device for the application and budget. This should also be done with a strict assessment of illumination regulation compliance.
The other quite noticeable fact, is that the light quality and ambiance can be quite different with an LED device, and therefore selection is critical is these factors are important.
New lighting scheme design & planning
We used the latest and advanced lighting planning software, which enables us to create virtual models of a project (See here). This provides the client with a virtual impression of the illumination impacts, the correct positioning/location for the devices and a detailed analysis of the regulation compliance.
We use the producers certified photometric files, to accurately assess the illumination impacts and there we are able to optimise the lighting scheme, to provide the best balance of requirement to investment.
Regulation compliance studies
It is not only a need to reduce energy costs that is the driver for a lighting scheme change.The other main reason is to meet regulatory compliance. Was the original scheme adequate? Has there been a change of use in an area requiring a higher level of compliance? has there been an introduction of equipment and/or objects in the working are effecting the illuminations? There are many reasons why he compliance is effected,
It should be remembered that it is not possible to accurately assess this, without a proper modelling simulation. Using just the photometric profile of a luminaire is not enough. Most lighting schemes are based on a "group of luminaires, which have their own illumination impact and have a "group" effect, meaning the mixing of the illumination "over-lapping". This is affected by the installed height and object in the area. Modelling is required to establish this accurately.
Our studies provide this detailed analysis, which can be used as the basis for the lighting scheme required.
