Lighting retrofit projects represent one of the best ways for a company to reduce its energy costs.

Representing almost 40% of a commercial facilies utility costs,
paybacks of less than 3 years are commonplace.

Done properly, a lighting retrofit program can increase productivity, reduce defect rates and represent a cost advantage against your competitors who haven’t implemented their own efficiency programs. Selecting the right lighting retrofit vendor who will stand behind their product and system designs is key to real savings.

VENDORS: Check references, test recommendations against proposals, visit past installations and check their financial stability.

STAKEHOLDERS:  get all the key stakeholders are involved up front to reduce delays during the project.

Addressing the finance and purchasing teams’ need to understand the costs and savings will help make sure the project hits all required financial hurdle rates. It’s also important to make sure the operations team is aware of the project’s impact on employee productivity and maintenance.

SET NEW LIGHTING LEVEL BASELINES: Include the latest Illuminating Engineering Society (IESNA) light level recommendations in your review. IESNA guidelines for your application factor in the difficulty level of tasks being performed as well as the age of your work force. In addition to light levels, consider how the environment is perceived. Retrofitting from lower color rendering (CRI) lamps to higher CRI lamps can improve visibility - even with lower light levels.

A poorly designed retrofit lighting system that saves money in energy
costs can take all those savings away in productivity losses, increased
error rates and absenteeism.

Cutting light levels below recommended levels, installing products that increase glare or create shadows can all harm worker and facility productivity.

FACILITY AUDIT:  The facility audit is the blueprint for installation. A poor audit can result in change orders, increased costs, missed deadlines and poor application of product. Beware of the rapid audit.

A good audit collects area by area counts of all existing light fixtures, reviews light level readings, identifies obstructions, checks hours of operation and reviews the tasks being performed within the area to make sure that the design selections will be correct for the environment.

Utility companies vary widely in how they bill and awareness of how demand and usage charges are being applied is critical for an accurate evaluation. Make sure to factor in demand charges, taxes and seasonal peak charges to calculate costs and how they are applied. Watch for billing details!  Consider a utility who charges a demand charge based on your highest usage of electricity for a month. If you’re using occupancy sensors, are the lights going to be on when the demand charge hits? If so, you’ll only be able to capture the kWh usage savings and not the associated demand savings you might otherwise expect.

CONTROLS & SENSORS: Controls, and occupancy sensors are becoming an important component of retrofit strategies. With controls being increasingly legislated and incentivised with ASHRAE 90.1, Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) and utility rebate programs, there is no better way to save money and meet evolving building standards than by turning off or turning down the lights.

Prior to choosing sensors for your facility, consider installing “light loggers” that track occupancy in target areas so that you can get a feel for the savings. Use “program start” ballasted luminaries rather than” instant
start” to assure no loss of lamp life from frequent on/off cycles. And make sure that time and sensitivity levels are set properly during installation.

Not all lighting components work well together in all environmental conditions. Your facility can have a major impact on system performance. Factory temperatures and office occupancy levels affect how fixtures will perform in each environment. Mounting height levels that have temperatures in excess of 55˚C might require “high ambient” approved fixtures. Fixtures that run cooler, last longer - sometimes up to twice as long.

INCENTIVE PROGRAMS: States, federal government, and electrical utilities are actively looking for ways to reduce energy consumption by providing financial incentives. These incentive programs represents an opportunity
for real savings. Programs like Epact, a federal program that offers an accelerated tax deduction for lighting upgrades of up to $.60 per sq foot for projects completed through 2008 is a great example.

For the most up-to-date information on available incentives, ask your project vendor and check with your local utility for all the incentives and rebates available to you.

Workspace lighting should last a long time, so making buying decisions benefit from choosing materials and labor suppliers for the long term. When evaluating suppliers, check the products and associated warranties
being specified for reputation and financial wherewithal to correct problems.

LONG TERM OPERATIONS:  A simple way to validate the projected results is to test the proposed retrofit system in a typical area. It’s easy to measure before and after light levels as well as amperage reductions on tested circuits. However, don’t assume that the initial light levels from this test represents what you’re going to have over the long haul.
    New lighting systems inherently provide more light than aged systems. Dirt depreciation and lamp degradation curves all need to be considered when evaluating a retrofit lighting systems performance over time. While cutting edge lighting systems maintain more light then ever before, make sure your supplier builds maintenance factors into the proposed system evaluation so that light levels meet your long term expectations.
    Maintenance savings  also save in the long term because easy to maintain lighting system lowers operating costs and gives the maintenance team more time to focus on the pressing issues of keeping machines and people productive.

• Reduce the number of lamp and ballast types that have to be inventoried
• Select longer life component technologies that extend maintenance intervals.
• Check sample fixtures to see if access to the ballast compartment is tool-less to shorten time on the ladder.
• For open air industrial fixtures in caustic or high ambient environments, make sure that the components specified will operate at optimal levels.

SAVINGS:  Consider the life of a lighting system into the savings calculations. The average life of a commercial or industrial lighting system exceeds 10 years. Quality systems cost more, but they also save more over time.

INSTALLATION:  To make sure the installation goes as smoothly as possible, review and document all key elements of the installation plan including security access, product storage, recycling, how to manage “found” and
unaudited areas, as well as how updates will be provided throughout the project. While there may always be a few problems on the job, having a plan to resolve them quickly makes for a smoother and more successful installation.

When implemented correctly, lighting efficiency upgrades can start saving
your business money immediately!

FINANCING:  The vast majority of lighting retrofit projects can provide paybacks within 3 years without any additional incentive at all. As an alternative, consider financing your lighting upgrade instead of waiting for the
next rebate or capital budget. A well designed lighting retrofit project will often offer immediate savings opportunity than can be used to fully fund the cost of the project and provide a positive cash flow from the very first month.

SOURCE:  Cooper Lighting, a leader in the design of energy efficient lighting systems, can arm you with the information necessary to ensure a successful lighting efficiency upgrade, contact them at www.cooperenergysolutions.com

The goal: meet California 's growing needs for energy efficiency and demand response by creating and introducing energy-efficient, advanced lighting technologies in 2008 and 2009.

Lighting California's Future A $3.7 million California Energy Commission PIER Program focused on lighting technologies for buildings. The goal is to meet California's growing needs for   the built environment.

• Improved Daylight Performance of Tubular Daylighting Devices
• Cost-Effective Demand Response (CEDR)
• Integration of Electric Lighting Controls with Utility Demand Response Signals
• Retrofit Integrated Classroom Lighting System (R-ICLS)
• Wireless Integrated Photosensor and Motion Sensor (WIPAM) Lighting Control System
• Advanced LED Downlighting Systems
• Novel LED Downlights
• Smart LED Lighting in Residential Fans
• Advanced, Energy-Efficienct LED Lighting for Residential and Commercial Applications

"decorative fixtures must be more than pretty objects; they must also deliver the light that is needed in a space, to the surfaces that need it, and now they must do it with a minimum of watts.  If you are designing a space with a contemporary, futuristic, or jazzy feel, it's not that big a deal because many manufacturers make some acceptable attractive fixtures in compact fluorescent, LED, or (rarely) in metal halide. "

The Lighting Blog

Get the latest news and ideas from Caliofornia's Lighting programs:
The Lighting BLOG

PIER Visibility...
The California Energy Commission’s PIER inaugural booth experienced significant traffic during the highly attended LightFair International tradeshow in Las Vegas, NV. The booth was organized by the PIER partnership model as well as many successful PIER technologies. The PIER partnership model focuses on finding market-based solutions with manufacturers, building partnerships for demonstrations, integrating feedback for product improvement, and creating a rapid, economic path to market.


The Lighting Forum:
Lighting pros can join the discussion of efficiency, design, energy...etc.

http://thelightingportal.ucdavis.edu/

		PIER Energy Efficiency Demonstration Program Demonstration of PIER technologies at various University of California, California State University, California Community College and Department of General Services facilities to promote emerging energy efficient technologies while assessing their performance and user satisfaction. PIER Partners: California Institute for Energy Efficiency, California Lighting Technology Center, University of California, California State University, California Community Colleges

CONTACT: Wes Morgan, California Lighting Technology Center

PIER Technical Briefs

Learn more about the latest technologies, trends, and resources in energy-efficient design from the PIER Technical Briefs that distill volumes of research into two-page summaries of the problem addressed, the solution, and the benefits of implementing that solution. These briefs are available as a free public resource.

PIER Partners: E-Source

 

The purpose of the  Lighting California's Future "Market Connection" effort is to shape and support technology development and early deployment efforts in order to accelerate the technology diffusion process and  help meet codes and standards including Title 24, IESNA, ASHRAE, and LEED.

The ultimate outcome of the market connections element is broad market adoption of the lighting products developed within the LCF program, including codes and standards covering qualified products. As technical projects become available for initial field pilots, team members will develop and provide project specific information to California utility emerging technology programs and the University of California/California State University Energy Efficiency Partnership Program, and other similar groups.

Led by New Buildings Institute with coordinated efforts from the California Lighting Technology Center, Architectural Energy Corporation, and SDV/ACCI.

Alliances and partnerships include:

•California utilities demonstration/evaluation/program support
•State/local agencies: UC/CSU system pilots
•Federal agencies: Federal Network for Sustainability
•Private sector- innovative business leaders
•US Green Building Council - LEED
•NBI- Advanced Lighting Guidelines

The program provides content for web sharing at the Lighting Portal, Design Lights, Lighting Lab.

The Technology Tranfer Plan business case

•Market and product definition
•Manufacturer business case
•Value proposition for the customer
•Supply chain requirements
•Key market barriers
•Key market messaging
•Energy/demand savings potential

The purpose of Technology Transfer Plans is to assist in building the business case for each project and cacilitate development of technology transfer plans (TTP)for each product to ensure that answers are provided to questions partners/investors/funding parties are likely to have about the product’s: Effectiveness in reducing/managing demand and Market feasibility.

This program also provides business case spreadsheet analysis tool, CO2 accounting, and connecions with the Navy and Bonneville Power, as well as the US DOE Commercial Lighting Initiative.

CONTACTS: Mark Cherniack, New Buildings Institute
Brian Fowler, SDV/ACCI

Components include scene controls, occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting. 

Manufacturers and integrators of advanced classroom lighting systems include:
• Finelite-ICLS
• Lutron-BalanceLC
• Lighting Control & Design
• Peerless

Limitations of advanced classroom lighting systems include the high cost of integrated systems:
    New fixtures and HVAC rerouting
    Labor intensive installation
    Commissioning to measure performance

Retrofit kit approaches can provide limited savings with a fixture-based approach, occupancy-dual circuitry and sometimes, daylight harvesting.

"Best" solutions are products that replace luminaires with high performance recessed luminaires; adding a whiteboard luminaire and incorporating teacher controls. 

Good solutions include delamping luminaires if necessary; changing lamps to high performing 3100 lumen T8 lamps; changing reflectors; changing ballasts to dimming ballasts and incorporating teacher controls.

White Board Lighting

The research project on Retrofit Integrated Classroom Lighting System (R-ICLS) by Lighting California's Future is dedicated to developing retrofit lighting solutions for classrooms to ensure that the luminaires, sensors, and controls work together to provide proper lighting for General and A/V requirements together with lighting for the white board.

Retrofit Lighting for Schools

R-ICLS will help develop and demonstrate new technologies that will give schools a "good", "better", "best" way to combine state-of-the-art luminaires, lamps, ballasts, sensors, and controls into cost-effective, retrofit system solutions.

The goal is development of an integrated system that meets CHPS and LEED standards for classroom lighting
• General & AV Modes
• Whiteboard illumination
• Teacher Controls
• Integrated occupancy and daylight sensors.

Project Goals

• Deliver energy savings of 20% compared to California's Title 24 (Energy Law)
  
• Develop “Good”, “Better” and “Best” solutions to meet different payback requirements.

     Good: De-lamp luminaires where possible. Install dimming ballasts and Super T8 (3100 lumen lamps). New optical systems will be evaluated. Provide wall mounted and remote controls.
     Better: Add a whiteboard luminaire to the “good” definition. Provide wall mounted and remote controls.
     Best: Replace luminaires with new high performance 2x4 luminaire and add a whiteboard luminaire. Provide wall mounted and remote controls.
 

Finelite and the CLTC are key project members.

Utilities need additional demand response (DR) capacity to avoid rolling blackouts during peak usage periods and meet regulatory requirements. Most existing, commercial lighting does not currently contribute to peak demand reductions. Existing retrofit lighting control solutions are too expensive for DR use, which leaves existing, interior, commercial lighting as a largely untapped DR resource.

Cost-Effective Demand Response (CEDR) research by Lighting California's Future seeks to introduce a novel demand response (DR) lighting control technology that can be easily retrofit to existing buildings.

CEDR makes retrofit installation economical by using existing power wiring to transmit a load shed signal to designated lighting loads. This signal, introduced at the lighting panel and transmitted to receivers installed in existing bi-level light switches, tells receivers to turn off half the lights.

This research project will develop a new system capable of receiving a utility demand reduction signal and transmitting, over the building power lines, a load-shed signal to multiple receiver devices. The outcome of the project is the development and commercialization of a novel demand responsive lighting technology.

CEDR takes a low-tech approach, doing only one simple task inexpensively - reducing loads during DR conditions.

Applications
■ Buildings with lighting controlled by bi-level switching.
■ Buildings with significant sheddable plug loads.
■ ESCOs with the above customers.
■ Utilities requiring more automatic DR capacity.

Key project members are the CLTC, NEV Electronics, and SCE. Collaborators include NEV Electronics, Benya Lighting, California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC), Southern California Edison, and Architectural Energy Corporation.

CEDR LCF program information and reports

Technical information  and CLTC/UCDavis

Licensing

Intelligent Lighting Solutions specializes in Energy Conservation products/services and Application Specific Lighting Retrofits for residents and businesses in California. Target market includes Residential, Commercial, and Industrial.

As their client's strategic partner, iLighting Solutions provides insight and guidance needed to obtain maximum value from lighting systems through improved use of technology. 

Pricing, delivery times, and professionalism are unmatched in the industry, but most importantly our customer service is equal to the level of service you would aim to establish with your own customers. We offer a lifetime guarantee on all of our work and friendly local service.

Our products include:
* Incandescent
* Halogen
* Compact Fluorescent
* Linear Fluorescent
* Magnetic and Electronic Ballasts
* Residential and Commercial fixtures
* Exit Signs

High Intensity Discharge:
* Metal Halide
* High Pressure Sodium
* Low Pressure Sodium
* Mercury Vapor

iLighting Solutons
14404 Gramercy Place
Gardema. CA 90249
T. (310) 515-5955 F. (310) 515-5445
www.ilightingsolutions.net

T. (310) 515-5955 F. (310) 515-5445

Higher gas prices at the pump aren’t the only energy expense eating away at consumers’ wallets these days. Although the cost of electricity to light and heat American households has been inching up steadily over the past several years, significantly higher rates may be just around the corner.

In fact, recent projections by energy industry analysts warn that electricity rates could increase 40 to 60 percent in 2009, largely due to higher demand and ever rising operating overhead at utility plants.

Seeking to minimize the bite electricity takes out of the monthly budget many consumers are replacing old, wasteful incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). While simply replacing the lowly light bulb might seem like a small step, nothing could be further from the truth.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if every home replaced just one light bulb with Energy Star-approved compact bulbs such as the BlueMax™ high definition bulb from Full Spectrum Solutions, enough energy would be conserved to light more than 3 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gas output equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

The cost savings to the consumer’s pocketbook are equally impressive said Mike Nevins, founder and CEO of Full Spectrum Solutions, a pioneer in energy-efficient and more natural lighting solutions.

“People are surprised to learn that a typical family in the United States spends about $1,500 a year on utility bills, approximately 60 percent of which is in the form of electricity,” Mr. Nevins commented, citing data provided by the EPA.

“Moreover, as a nation, approximately one-quarter of the electricity we use is for lighting, at a cost of $37 billion annually. Much of this expense is wasted on inefficient incandescent light bulbs  which can be easily replaced by much more energy-efficient CFLs such as the bulbs in the BlueMax™ line.”

Based on typical electricity usage, Mr. Nevins said that each Energy Star qualified BlueMax™ bulb can reduce energy consumption by up to 80 percent, saving consumers an average of $75.00 per installed unit during the life of the bulb. Needless to say, these numbers can add up quickly. A home with forty bulbs could expect cumulative savings in the neighborhood of $3,000, or roughly two year’s worth of utility bills.

Noted lighting scientist Dr. Michael Siminovitch, director of the California Lighting Technology Center at University of California-Davis concurs. "One of the most simple, but effective ways to save energy is to replace our light bulbs," Dr. Siminovitch stated.

“It’s well worth noting that due to the proprietary technology used in BlueMax™ such as the six phosphor blend, they produce full spectrum or ‘high definition’ light almost identical to natural sunlight,” said Dr. Siminovitch. “The result is healthier light that offers better visual clarity and contrast, reducing eyestrain, headaches, fatigue and loss of concentration.”

In addition to their stingy use of electricity and superior output, Mr. Nevins notes that all BlueMax™ bulbs carry a two-year warranty and have a use rating of 10,000 hours. Furthermore, because they produce up to 60 percent less heat than other bulbs, BlueMax™ is the only compact fluorescent on the market which can withstand high temperatures common to enclosed fixtures.

“A much cooler operating temperature gives BlueMax™ an expected lifespan of up to 13 times longer than incandescent bulbs,” Mr. Nevins said. “Putting out less heat can contribute to a cooler ambient environment, reducing air conditioning usage for further energy savings.”

About Full Spectrum Solutions

BlueMax™ is a technology developed by Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc., which was founded in Jackson, Michigan. Since 1997 the company has provided patented full spectrum light therapy, task and commercial lighting products to enhance our living, learning, and working environments. Its lighting products are a result of progressive lighting research and collaboration among distinguished medical and scientific researchers, evaluators, and clinicians.

For more information about BlueMax™ HD Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs, BlueMax™ Light Therapy Lamps, or other lighting technologies from Full Spectrum Solutions, please visit www.fullspectrumsolutions.com, phone 1-888-574-7014, or email joelle@fullspectrumsolutions.com.