Lighting Upfit

Buildings and lighting systems have a limited life. Typically leased space will remain unchanged for 12 years. Owned space tends to have much longer time horizons. I have seen lighting systems 40-50 years old. There are limits as to what can be done with old lighting systems.

Start Over, Remodel, Update

Our first recommended action was to replace old T12 fixtures. It is true that fixtures can be converted from T12 to T8 lamps but it hardly makes sense. The ballast and lamps are new in a rebuilt fixture but the fixture finish, responsible for reflecting 50% of the light generated, and the lens have been subjected to years of UV energy and simply need to be replaced.

Track systems are also subject to wear. Sockets come loose in the heads the mechanism that holds the heads in place no longer performs that function, and in severe cases, corrosion builds up at junctions causing black marks on the ceiling. Corrosion causes resistance, resistance causes heat sufficient to smoke the ceiling tile. Insulating material also breaks down which can lead to short circuits.

Anytime there is a major remodeling on a space lighting should be evaluated and replaced. If the size or shape of the space changes lighting needs to be adjusted to meet the requirements of the visual environment and minimize the impact on the physical environment.

Update Feed and Control Systems

Starting over also gives the store an opportunity to update the internals, the wiring and control system for lighting. JC Penny has done about 800 stores to get to a sustainable status. They have done 240 lighting retrofits since 2007. Their efforts have been recognized by Energy Star.

Use Ceramic Metal Halide Fixtures

When we spoke earlier of replacing metal halide fixtures the limitation was greater than 100 watts and particularly targeting the oldest of metal halides. At lower wattages ceramic metal halide lamps and fixtures offer significant potential.

If you will look next time you are in the grocery you will likely see ceramic metal halide (CMH) fixtures in the produce, bakery and deli areas. These are high margin areas and the goods need to look great and shout, "Take me home." You will notice CMH fixtures in Walmart as well.

In addition to excellent color rendering, CMH bulbs are powerful. One 39 watt CMH had the output of two 90PAR halogens. The CMH also last four times as long as the halogen so at four times the price, CMH bulbs are a bargain.

Another thing you will notice about a CMH lighting plan is there are fewer total fixtures. The layer of ambient light typically provided in retail can be greatly reduced where CMH is present. Even though CMH requires a ballasted fixture the potential for energy savings is so great utilities often offer rebates and incentives.

Evaluate LED Replacements

What we referred to as "LED lighting" is now called "solid state lighting." LEDs have been around since the late 1960s and are widely used as indicators. They are semiconductors rather then light bulbs and LEDs are easily made in colors, red, blue and green, perfect as indicator.

It turns out that making an LED with white light is not an easy task. I'm sure you have LED flashlights, key fobs, and book lights. The illumination given off is blueish white. Display Lighting is Not Ready for Prime Time (4/2009)

If display lighting were ready for use someone would have claimed the DOE/EPA Energy Star bounty of $5 million for a LED equal to a 90PAR38. Not only does the winner get cash but also directed procurement for all government requirements for that lamp. No one has claimed the prize because they are still working on the issues of service life, light output and color rendering. They are working diligently and we hope to have a solution this year.

What the government is trying to avoid is the impaired acceptance of SSL technology that delayed acceptance of compact fluorescents. Compact fluorescents were developed in 1973 but major companies didn't want to invest in market development or production. When niche companies had some success others became interested.

"Others" included folks making cheap products for the price conscious shopper. The cheap products were unacceptable such that consumers were turned off and acceptance of the technology delayed. until 2005. Final Energy Star standards for CFL were not available until late 2008.

Standards for SSL bulbs, some of them at least are available now to make sure we all understand what service life and other SSL characteristics really mean.Meanwhile the key phrase for solid state lighting is "Buyer beware."