Plug In To Simple Savings Methods

Words by Jo Reeves

Energy saving has become one of the top priorities for business and government alike. Saving energy cuts costs and combats climate change, so in theory it’s a desirable objective, but plenty of businesses are still unaware of the many options available to help them meet government targets and enhance bottom line profits.

Using energy saving equipment often entails significant investment, which is undoubtedly one of the contributors towards the slow change to energy efficient practices. But there are products out there that can save money – both in the long term and on the initial investment.

Lighting is one of the largest energy consumers in the western world – particularly in business. Factories, schools, hospitals and other large buildings tend towards the use of fluorescent luminaires – and new developments in ballasts and tubes mean that traditional fitments are no longer energy or cost efficient products.

As part of the Government movement towards energy efficient lighting there is a drive to reduce the energy consumption of fluorescent lamps. There are currently around 68 million fluorescent tubes in the UK and the quickest and most obvious way for the huge numbers of installations already in existence to achieve such savings would be to switch from conventional electromagnetically ballasted lamps to the new generation of high frequency ballasted and more energy efficient triphosphor tubes.

To ensure correct installation of these new lamps and maximise the energy efficiency opportunities offered by the more modern technology, they are being manufactured in a different size – now being shorter in length and with repositioned pin contacts. This means, in theory, that in order to use the new lamps the luminaires also need to be replaced – a huge investment for those with multiple fittings such as schools, hospitals offices, warehouses, car parks, etc.

Customers’ reluctance to write off their significant current investment and fund a wholesale luminaire replacement programme has been the key factor preventing wider take-up of the newer high frequency ballasted triphosphor lamps. However, a retrofit solution, seven years in development, has been designed to combat this huge outlay – a unit that connects the shorter lamp to the longer luminaire without compromising its efficiency in any way.

Originating in Germany and now patented in 72 countries, these low cost ‘Save It Easy®’ high frequency units plug directly on to the ends of T5 or T8 tubes, simultaneously providing appropriate ballast and changing tube length and pin positions to fit existing luminaires. UK supplier Energy Conservation Solutions Limited (ECSL) stresses that the range includes units able to convert every size of commonly encountered switch start and starterless luminaire, including 2ft T8 and 8ft T12.

Combined circuit and lamp energy savings range from 26% to 56% depending on application and the simplicity of plug-in installation reduces down time, relinquishing the need for highly-qualified electricians and avoiding all the problems of new attachments and re-connection including the issue of asbestos ceiling materials encountered in older buildings.

Kevin Cox, Managing Director of ECSL explains the motives behind the development in new lighting technology: “The drivers towards energy efficiency put in place by UK government mean that business is increasingly being forced to take stock of its energy use – and then there’s the fact of steeply rising energy prices which seem unlikely to fall again. While legislation may not yet categorically enforce  the installation of energy efficient lighting, the Government’s strict emission targets ensure that they will do all they can to encourage the use of this kind of technology.”

One example of a successful Save It Easy® installation is at Westfield Community Technology College in Hertfordshire. The County Council’s Property Department chose ECSL ‘Save It Easy®’ units to convert all linear fluorescent lighting fittings to high frequency operation. The school has a swimming pool and sports hall on site and is used extensively by the local community in the evenings, weekends and during school holidays, so maximum usage is made of its lights.

The existing lighting installation consisted almost entirely of linear fluorescent battens of various vintages. Dimensions and electrical ratings varied widely but one thing all the lighting fittings had in common was that their control gear incorporated a wire-wound ballast.

All fittings had been designed to accept T12 type lamps but, to reduce energy consumption, a number of switch start units had been fitted with more energy efficient T8 type lamps.‘Save-it Easy’ units were selected for the conversion after a number of other manufacturers’ components had been considered, because ECSL could provide a solution for all lamp sizes represented on the site and for both switch start and quick start arrangements.

Following successful trials the full scale retrofit work on site took place during term time, causing very little interruption to school activities. Each individual lamp conversion was carried out in a matter of minutes, keeping installation costs and disruption to a minimum.

The total installation comprised some 1,000 lamp ways and the total connected load of the Westfield College’s lighting installation, before conversion, was in the order of 70kW. After conversion the lighting load was reduced by approximately 40%.

The resulting 42kW connected load gives an annual reduction in electricity consumption estimated at not less than 84,000 kWh and CO2 savings of 36 tonnes annually.

In addition, combining high frequency ballasts with new high efficiency triphosphor tubes is expected to more than double tube life, adding significant economies in both lamp purchase and maintenance to the already substantial energy savings.

By the year 2020, the UK government has promised to oversee carbon emission reductions of 20%. In order to reach and possibly even exceed these targets (as it has stated it hopes to do) the government must rely on gaining the support and co-operation of both the business and domestic market. Highlighting the financial benefits that are associated with energy efficiency products is one way to ensure that everyone works towards the same goals – even if their motivation varies. Technological advances like the ‘Save It Easy®’ unit provide benefits to everyone and are therefore welcomed onto the market by business and government alike.

Reproduced by kind permission of Energy in Buildings and industry (Pinede Publishing)