Aelux Launches Zip Code Search for Lighting Rebates
January 24th, 2012Finding applicable rebates for prospective lighting retrofit projects is now much easier! Aelux recently added a Utility Rebates for Lighting Retrofits zip code search feature. Simply enter your zip code and the search will produce a list of applicable utility rebates, loan programs and other incentives for commercial and industrial energy efficient lighting projects. Along with the utility rebate zip code search, Aelux also maintains a Rebates by State list, which provides links to statewide lighting incentives, lighting rebates and lighting loans. If you have questions regarding utility rebates for lighting retrofit projects or are interested in a complimentary lighting assessment, please contact us.
The information listed on the utility rebate pages represent the published rebate information of the various utilities as of the date of this compilation. The actual rebates available may vary based on utility program changes or financial availability. Aelux continuously monitors for changes and updates. The rebate amount included in a specific proposal is always accurate as of the proposal date.
Act 129 Promotes Energy Efficiency in Pennsylvania
December 28th, 2011According to a recent study released by Penn Future, an environmental advocacy organization, Pennsylvania’s Act 129 has proven to be a cost-effective and successful energy efficiency program.
In October 2008, Act 129 was passed to curtail energy demand, create jobs and reduce pollution in Pennsylvania. The Act required Pennsylvania electric utilities to reduce their electricity load by 1 percent by May 31, 2011 and by 3 percent by May 31, 2012. Utilities are also required to reduce their peak electricity demand by 4.5 percent by providing their customers with energy-efficiency and conservation programs.
PennFuture’s study, conducted by Optimal Energy, analyzed the Act’s results through May 31, 2011. This study concluded that Pennsylvania’s electricity load was reduced by 2,073 gigawatt hours (GWh), which equals over $278 million in annual savings for electric customers that participated in Act 129 programs.
The first year of Act 129 also created an estimated 4,000 job years (job years are measured as one full-time job for one year) and eliminated approximately 23 million tons of carbon dioxide over the lifetime of the installed energy efficiency measures. The Act’s first year in energy savings is also equivalent to taking four million cars off of the road for one year.
If the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission decides that Act 129 has been successful, they have until November 30, 2013 to extend the program and set new savings goals for Pennsylvania electric utilities. According to the study by Optimal, Pennsylvania has the opportunity to reduce its energy by 31,500 GWh by continuing the energy efficiency Act 129.
Aelux has participated in the completion of several energy efficient lighting retrofit projects at Pennsylvania businesses served by participating Act 129 utility companies such as Duquesne, Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, PECO, PPL and West Penn. Pennsylvania utility rebates are still available for lighting retrofit energy efficiency projects. To find out how Act 129 can benefit your company and reduce electricity costs with a lighting retrofit, fill out our contact form and an Aelux team member will respond as soon as possible.
To view the complete press release regarding the Penn Future study, click here.
Mercury Reduction Initiatives for Fluorescent Lamp use in Commercial & Retail Applications
October 27th, 2010Earlier this month, members of NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) announced that they are voluntarily reducing the maximum allowable mercury content in compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).
Under the new voluntary commitment, effective October 4, 2010, NEMA members will cap the total mercury content in CFLs of less than 25 watts at 4mg (milligrams) per lamp. The total mercury content of CFLs that use 25 to 40 watts of electricity will be capped at 5mg per lamp.
This agreement builds upon the companies’ March 2007 voluntary commitment and is consistent with NEMA’s initiative to reduce use of hazardous substances whenever feasible.
“NEMA lamp companies acknowledge the importance of reducing mercury content of fluorescent lamps while continuing to achieve the high performance and quality consumers expect,” said NEMA Lamp Section Chair Pam Horner. “NEMA’s update of the voluntary commitment today is made possible by research and engineering innovation in the lamp industry.”
While these lighting innovation initiatives are just reaching the residential market, trace mercury fluorescent lamps have been available for some time now for use in commercial applications. Previously in commercial applications we saw the use of metal halides, HID fixtures, and T12 lamps, but we are seeing a phase out of these fixtures as they are both inefficiency and contain higher mercury levels, with levels as high as 10mg per lamp. While metal halides may be suitable in some commercial applications, such as outdoor lighting, there are certainly more energy efficient alternatives available for indoor commercial and warehouse settings that are designed specifically for use in retail, property management, commercial, and industrial segments.
The most commonly used lamps in lighting retrofits are T8 & T5 linear fluorescent lamps, which are highly efficiency, TCLP-compliant, and at the highest have 5mg of mercury and at the lowest 1.4mg. Many manufacturers offer low mercury T8 lamps that contain approximately 3.5 mg per lamp, and some even offer an extra low mercury T8 lamps with less than 1.7 mg of mercury per lamp. Newly designed T5 lamps are also more versatile, offering increased lighting flexibility, especially in tight spaces and low profile applications.
All the more reason to retrofit your existing lighting system: energy efficiency, better lighting, safer, and more environmentally friendly
TCLP stands for Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure. Fluorescent bulbs that are TCLP compliant reduce the amount of pollutants released into the environment. Mercury’s greatest threat comes when it is vaporized and can be inhaled, like when a bulb containing mercury is broken, shatters or ruptures in your place of business. Lamps with reduced mercury content pass the EPA’s TCLP tests, and pose less danger to the environment, your employees and your patrons in the event of breakage.
(Sources: NEMA & http://www.zeromercury.org/)
Solar power today…what about tomorrow?
October 14th, 2010Late this summer, California regulators approved a license for the nation’s first large-scale solar thermal power plant in two decades. (Source)
While solar power makes sense for some obvious reasons, what are the implications from what we do not see on the surface of this technology? Since solar plants rely a large water supply, how will it affect our water sources in the years to come? Robert Glennon, a law professor at the University of Arizona who has written two books on water use says it well, “This technology uses gobs of water.” He adds, “We are not paying enough attention to energy and its water needs, and solar energy needs a lot of water.” (Source)
So, will water recycling become a part of everyday life in US living, as areas such as the Netherlands have embraced such energy efficient practices?
Are there easier ways to reduce energy usage and cost while avoiding a vicious circle of destruction on our planet? Perhaps an easier way already exists and we can forget about reinventing the wheel. Maybe it is as simple as all warehouses in the US receiving a lighting retrofit.
The cost-benefit analysis for renewable energy
September 30th, 2010A far-reaching goal is to eliminate fossil fuels & coal power plants, but when looking at the cost-benefit analysis for renewable energy the question becomes, when do we see the payback?
This year the International Energy Agency classified onshore wind as “potentially cost-competitive” with fossil fuels for the first time.” (Source) Yet, we must consider local factors.
Will investing in turbine energy pay-off? Furthermore, could we avoid having giant windmills outside our front door if each one of us was to be more energy conscious? Maybe it can start with changing current lighting systems, rearranging lights where we need them most, and using them only when we need them. Cost-benefit analysis…the simplicity of a lighting retrofit could save companies hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
NEMA asserts ‘Better Use of Light Bulb Act is Not Better’
September 23rd, 2010On Sept. 21, 2010, Rep. Joe Barton (R – Texas) introduced the “Better Use of Light Bulb Act”, which would repeal the phase-out of incandescent bulbs under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007).
The same day, NEMA took their stand asserting the Better Use of Light Bulb Act is Not Better. “The Lamp Section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) reaffirmed its commitment to public policies that encourage transitioning to more energy-efficient lighting, including the energy-efficient light bulb provisions of EISA 2007.”
According to NEMA Vice President of Government Relations Kyle Pitsor, the lighting industry is investing heavily in new products that meet consumers’ demands for efficiency and light quality while developing marketing information that will help people understand the variety of products available to them as this transition takes place.
Sure consumers may be anxious about the shift, but “the reality is that consumer preference already has been shifting away from incandescent products, with the market for standard household incandescent bulbs declining by 50 percent over the last five or so years. With lighting consuming approximately 22 percent of all electricity in the U.S., the potential for energy savings and energy conservation that the country—and the world—can realize with this change to higher-technology light sources is immense. American businesses and consumers will annually save billions of dollars in electricity bills once the transition is complete,” Pitsor said.
As we talked last week about the bulb ban backfiring on the EU, it seems there may be brighter days for the US considering the statistics above, and US consumers’ drive to conserve spending. (Source)
Bulb Ban Backfires for EU
September 17th, 2010As of August 31, 2010, “it is now a crime to manufacture or ship for sale a traditional 75-watt incandescent light bulb in the European Union.” By 2012, incandescent lighting of all types will be targeted for removal; this is the same year the United States is scheduled to begin a phase-out schedule mirroring the European plan.
The EU plan looks as such:
- 2009 – 100-watt bulbs banned
- 2010 – 75-watt bulbs banned
- 2011 – 60-watt bulbs banned
- 2012 – 40-watt bulbs banned
The goal of the incandescent bulb ban plan is to phase-out the least efficient bulbs, with expected hopes for an increase in the purchase of CFLs. To date, it seems this plan has backfired as EU citizens are rushing to purchase the last remaining incandescent bulbs off the shelves. Consumers are gathering a hoarded supply of bulbs to last them decades. The low cost of the incandescent bulb and the fear of mercury-filled fluorescent is driving this buying panic.
It seems imminent that EU history will repeat itself in the US as our own January 1, 2012 deadline approaches; all part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 signed during President George W. Bush’s terms in office. (source)
Rebates & Incentives offered in Maryland
September 13th, 2010Nationwide there are federal tax incentives and state based utility rebates for renewable energy & energy efficiency programs for commercial initiatives. In addition to providing necessary 3rd party certifications so customers can recover related tax deductions, Aelux LLC, a turn-key lighting retrofit service company, also manages the application and utility rebate procurement process. Thereby taking the utility rebate risk off the table for customers, this is just one of the many benefits of our turnkey service.
Rebates & Incentives offered in Maryland
- Corporate Tax Credit
- PACE Financing
- Utility Rebate Program
Baltimore Gas & Electric states, “Our energy efficiency programs provide financial incentives and engineering services for projects that involve retrofitting existing inefficient equipment, new construction, major renovation/remodeling…”
When rebates are available, on average, 22% of project costs are covered by utility rebates. Historically, BGE incentives on Aelux projects have been above the national average. Contact Aelux, a BGE Trade Professional Alliance partner today to find out if your company is eligible for participation in programs like BGE’s Smart Energy Savers Program℠.
4 Months until the New Year…What will be your resolution?
August 23rd, 2010This past year we have witness economic downturns, natural & man-made disasters, world violence…and unfortunately the list goes on.
Have you made a difference personally in helping your community and/or business on making the world a more efficient place to live? We’re four months away from the year 2011, make your goals today! Are you working for a company that could be more “green / more efficient”? If you are not sure, researching and speaking out are the first steps.
For information on how companies, such as Aelux, LLC can help you, please visit www.aelux.com or call toll free to speak with an Aelux Representative 866-44-AELUX today.
Still hesitate to make the plunge to energy efficiency…read about how Aelux saved Motorola an annual energy savings of $70,954.
Research, Retrofit, Reduce
August 17th, 2010The 3 R’s of becoming an energy efficient company. “If all the commercial buildings in the U.S. that exist as of 2010 were retrofitted to be more energy efficient, the country as a whole would save over $41.1 billion a year in energy bills” (Source). Aelux, LLC, one of the leading lighting retrofit companies serves companies nationwide – making a difference one company at a time. Currently, Aelux is offering a complimentary lighting audit and lighting retrofit proposal.
In addition to the complimentary lighting audit, there are variety of rebates and incentives available across the United States. For further information on your state rebates and incentives contact an Aelux Representative toll free at 866-44-AELUX (1- 866-442-3589).
Be a proactive business and take advantage of all the Green Savings!
