New Generation 25 Watt T8 Lamps
The Philips Energy Advantage 25 watt T8 fluorescent lamps were tested at an elementary school in San Diego CA. They showed that the 25W lamps saved as much as 7W per bulb, but some application limitations were noted, such as a warm up period was required for full lighting, they are not recommended with occupancy sensors or dimmin ballasts, and they have a higher per bulb cost than 3100 lumen T8 bulbs.
T5 or T8 High Bay Lighting in Gyms and Open Areas
According to Bright Ideas Lighting Company, "Many people are strongly pushing 4 lamp T5 highbays to replace typical 400 watt metal halide fixtures. While I think this is not a bad option, in many cases the high bay T8 6 lamp fixture is a better option. Despite the long life rating claims for T5s we are seeing a surprisingly high rate of failures. We seem to be changing a lot of T5 ballasts in areas where they are less than 2 years old."
LED Exit Signs
There are no simpler applications of savings in 24/7 lighting products that will save you money for energy and maintenance than LED exit signs! Illuminated exit signs are an important and legally required safety feature in your facility. In the case of an emergency such as a fire, their operation is critical in protecting the well being of your congregation's members. By design, exit signs operate 24 hours per day, and can consume large amounts of energy to operate.
Many exit signs in today's buildings use older, incandescent and fluorescent/compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) technology. To make matters worse, many older exit signs require frequent maintenance due to the short life span of the lamps that light them. For example, many older exit signs consume over 350 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and cost $28 each annually to operate.
Recent advances in LED lighting technology have allowed exit sign manufacturers to develop signs that harness the advantages of this technology at competitive costs. In addition, exit signs are easy to install, if you can install a light switch or electrical receptacle you can install an exit sign. ENERGY STAR labeled LED exit signs use approximately 44 kWh of
electricity annually to operate. Low energy use not only means less pollution but also lower electricity bills as a LED exit sign usually costs less than $4 annually to operate. labeled LED exit signs use approximately 44 kWh of electricity annually to operate.
Bi-level Stairwell Lighting
The Bi-Level Smart Stairwell Luminaire meets lighting and safety code requirements for occupied interior stairwells, while saving energy by sensing occupancy at every fixture and drastically reducing the lighting level during the many hours when no one is present. The fixture is practical for both new and retrofit applications, and it can also be used in other low-occupancy locations such as break rooms and hallways.
This luminaire operates at two lighting levels. It maintains a low light level when the space is unoccupied and quickly switches to full light output when occupancy is detected. These integrated controls, coupled with a high-efficiency electronic ballast, reduce system operation and maintenance costs and extend lamp life.
These bi-level lighting solutions save up to 70% energy savings over traditional products and lamps need replacing less often for additional savings in maintenance costs.
Occupancy Sensors in Classrooms, Offices, and Gyms
Daylighting Control
Sunshine is wonderful...in the right place at the right times. Good controls are the design key to saving energy with daylighting "In fact, if designed correctly, daylighting control has the ability to delight occupants. By removing glare and making the amount of light flexible to meet different needs, daylight can replace a significant amount of electrical room lighting. New retrofitting products such as solar tubes, shelves that bounce light, indirect lighting designs and blinds that direct light where you want it are just a few of the "passive" approaches to daylighting controls.
Daylighting not only saves energy, but is being proven to improve spirits of the people in the room, raise productivity, and reduce illness and sick days. Not bad for simple sunlight!
Dual flush toilets have become standards in Europe and other countries concerned about their water supply. Unfortunately, water conservation is undervalued in the US. But that is changing, especially where drought is forcing water outages and increasing rates. Gerber provides high efficiency toilets, sinks and certified water efficient solutions.