Last week I taped a WHIO Reports television program for the Dayton market. I shared the interview desk with Tom Tatham, director of energy programs for DP&L. We both emphasized the advances in lighting efficiency that will make upgrades and retrofits a slam dunk for ROI. And we agreed on the importance of developing an energy plan for your business.
You need to start with an energy audit. Depending on your operation, your audit can range from a walk-through to sophisticated modeling. The energy audit will enable you to set priorities and work to a plan.
Chances are if your lighting is more than three years old, upgrades will reduce your energy consumption immediately. Also, utility companies are offering attractive incentives to help defray the cost of new fixtures and lamps. The project will move toward the top of your to-do list.
A distributor replaced metal halide fixtures in the warehouse with 6-tube T-8 fluorescents, upgraded the ballasts for longer lamp life, and installed motion sensors so lighting was only on when someone was present. The results: a 30% reduction in wattage compounded with a 25% reduction in on-time. After figuring in incentives, the facilities vice president measured the payback in months, not years!
Whether you occupy office, retail, warehouse or institutional space, you’ll benefit from the learning experience of an energy audit, especially if your lighting is old school.
Coming soon: LED lighting shows improvement.
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