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ROUND UP
LIGHTING
technical datasheets and together
with determination of the operat-
ing hours of the building this can
be used to state the annual energy
savings resulting from the retrofit.
For quantification of energy sav-
ings due to daylight harvesting and
occupancy it is better to physically
measure the energy consumed in a
sample space over a period of time
to empirically estimate the contribu-
tionof these factors to the savings as
they are dependent on behavioural
patterns. Provided that the sample
space is representative of the entire
building these measurements can
be used to verify the calculated
daylight an occupancy savings for
the entire building. For verification
of the energy savings fromoptimum
light level control the percentage
dimmingper sensor canbe recorded
or a lighting level design calculation
can be performed for each standard
lighting design to determine the
level of overdesign.
Conclusion
Challenges faced with the imple-
mentation of LED technology is the
higher capital cost requirements
compared to other technologies
however latest indication from role
players in Europe is that financing
options might very soon become
available for developing countries
where CAPEX is paid back to the
supplier using cost savings result-
ing from energy savings. General
energy savings that can be achieved
by introducing energy efficient
technology is up to 60% and by
behaviour change, savings can be
up to 30%. It should be noted that
behaviour change has less capital
because it is a matter of providing
awareness or trainings on how
we can use energy effectively like
switching all equipment/appli-
ances/light fittings when they are
not required.
Enquiries:
Moving to energy efficient lighting
In a drive to use less energy and reduce costs, various industries are moving to LED-based
lighting and selecting lighting products that have a longer lifespan and are less prone to dam-
age. LED lighting uses 60% - 90% less energy than incandescent lighting and is more durable.
Although LED products are more expensive, they will last about a hundred times longer than
an equivalent halogen light.
“As one of themost energy-efficient light bulbs on themarket, LED is themost environmentally
friendly because it has a lower carbon footprint, and when discarded, does not leach poisonous
mercury into the ground,” said Leonard Chester, product manager - Vehicle Accessories,Torre
Automotive, the sole
VisionX
distributor.
Although energy efficient, CFLs contain mercury, a toxin associated with birth defects, brain
damage and other disorders.That is why CFLs must be safely discarded. LEDs on the other hand
contain no mercury or hazardous materials. In addition, LEDs last 35 to 50 times longer than
incandescent lighting and about four to 10 times longer than fluorescent lighting.
Reducing usage by just one light bulb keeps a half ton of carbon dioxide out of the atmos-
phere through the LED’s life cycle. LEDs are also 98% recyclable,” he said. In addition, LEDs
have no off-state power draw, meaning that the fixture does not use power when turned off,
with the exception of external controls, where power should not exceed 0,5 W in the off-state.
Enquiries: Charles Smith.Tel. 011 781 6190 or email
charles@csa.co.za