• Investment in energy efficiency as a method of cost savings topped the list, with 97 percent rating it as at least somewhat significant. Attracting and retaining customers ranked second as an “extremely significant” influence in energy efficiency decisions.
• Building efficiency is of primary importance for those determined to decrease their carbon footprint, with 34 percent giving energy efficiency as their main strategy.
• About two-thirds of global respondents expect energy prices to increase in 2010, with the most likely increase amount being about 9 percent.
• The majority of decision-makers think energy or carbon legislation is likely within the next two years. European respondents rated it as the third most important reason for energy efficiency, India rated it fifth, the United States and Canada ranked it seventh and China, eighth.
• 39 percent of India’s respondents ranked energy management “extremely important,” compared to 27 percent for China, 16 percent in the U.S. and 14 percent for Pan-Europe.
• Nearly 100 percent of respondents in China and India stated that they have planned operating expenditures for energy efficiency investments, compared to 73 percent of the respondents in the United States.
• Looking forward as energy costs rise, corporate leaders think that PV and lighting technologies will see the greatest performance-to-price improvement, followed by smart building technologies and electric vehicles in third and fourth positions.

This year, LFI debuted a new pavilion on the trade show floor, the Building Integration Pavilion, which featured companies with enterprise system technologies used to maximize and create energy efficient buildings and showcased many of these successful projects. In addition, nearly 100 industry experts presented 72 sessions, addressing topics that covered lighting fundamentals, software, applications, controls and solutions, as well as design innovation, sustainability, energy-efficiency, product updates and case studies.

Aelux’s technical team spent several days reviewing the latest new technologies being offered by hundreds of new and established manufacturers. LEDs were the hot product line with dozens of new companies competing for what they billed as the future of lighting.

There is no doubt that within the next 5 to 10 years there will be LED solutions for every lighting environment; but we are just not there yet. LEDs are excellent for decorative and retail applications and even a few very high-end commercial uses. However, for the conventional industrial/commercial/institutional marketplaces, the efficiency delivered by the LEDs when combined with their high cost simply does not provide the high ROIs our customers have come to expect. There is one notable exception. We found some very interesting LED solutions for outdoor/garage lighting, and we are working closely with a couple of potential suppliers to see if we can offer outdoor solutions that will insure both quality and real value.

We were impressed with the developments of a couple notable manufacturers of induction lighting, and see a place in the high bay and outdoor space for this technology now. To be sure, the first cost is still higher than fluorescents, but the benefits of producing the same light output from a single lamp (as opposed to 3,4,6 or 8 lamps for linear T8/T5HO fluorescents) has caught the attention of several of our clients. Coupled with up to 100,000-hour lamp life, the ROI on these systems can rival fluorescents when accounting for total cost of ownership.

In the meantime, the fluorescent manufactures have not been idle. There are new higher efficiency lower wattage T-8s and T-5s that will make our fluorescent retrofits even more efficient and produce even higher returns.

It is without a doubt that “LIGHTFAIR International continues to evolve as the premier event for the lighting industry and as the world’s largest architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference,” says Rochelle Burt, managing director of LIGHTFAIR International.

Aelux understands that the lighting industry is more dynamic than ever, and you can be certain that we will always be in the forefront of bringing our customers the best values possible. Contact an Aelux representative to learn how your business can achieve the highest ROI with a lighting retrofit project.

Source

CEO Evan R. Gaddis, NEMA, stated “This tax incentive has proven record of success in supporting thousands of construction, electrical, design, contractor, and manufacturing jobs prior to the recession.  An increase is needed to address tight capital and other financing issues facing building owners.  This is the type of measure that fits with the outlines of President Obama’s jobs stimulus announcement on December 8, 2009”

To read a copy of the letter from NEMA it is available here

• Lumens – This is the unit of measurement for strength of light. Look for tubes with 1500 lumens or more.

• Watts – This is a unit of measurement for power consumption. Four-foot LED tubes typically use 15 to 25 watts, while fluorescent tubes of this size use more than 30 watts.

• Lifespan – This is how long the bulb will last. It’s measured in hours. 50,000 hours is common for LED tubes.

• Color temperature – The temperature of the light is the color of the light. It is measured in units of absolute temperature, or Kelvin (K). 3000K is considered warm (redder), 4100K is considered neutral, and 5800 K is cool (bluer).

In addition to the four specifications listed above it is also important to consider: cost, heat ouput, efficiency, comfort & material.

What are your general thoughts on the debate over LED Fluorescent Tubes?

The City of Kingston Ontario states, “Work is progressing on the $4.3 million project to retrofit City-owned buildings to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions”  (Source).  Canada recently made available Retrofit Grants & Incentives for commercial and institutional building and industrial facilities, along with residential home rebates.

On April 30, 2010 it was announced that due to a less than expected demand, “the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Small and Medium Organizations program will finish March 31, 2011″ (Source).  Due to the recent decision to conclude the program in about a year it is a first come first served basis until the stated date or until funds diminish.  Don’t waste time, call an Aelux lighting specialist today for more information on our complimentary (NO cost, NO obligation) facility audit and lighting retrofit proposal.

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, April 22nd.  Your everyday choices not only affect energy use, but the overall environment.  In accordance to this, Aelux LLC is proud to recycle on all projects in accordance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates and supports/promotes energy efficiency best practices.

Earth Day Network states that, “Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs.”  Support in the effort to help the environment by joining an earth day campaign.

What are some actions you can take?

• Recycle
• Transportation
• Lighting (specifically lighting retrofitting)*
• AC & Heat

*Lighting retrofitting not only benefits the company’s financial costs, but the environment and economy.  By reducing the demand for energy there is a less dependence on oil, coal and nuclear power (Efficient Lighting Corporation, 2008).

Taking action

Over the past few years the popularity of energy efficiency programs have increased.  47 states have now enrolled in energy efficiency lighting rebates & incentive programs (attardimarketing.com).  Aelux LLC provides services in lighting retrofitting, with a complimentary lighting audit.  An Aelux lighting specialist will compile a full analysis of your facility and recommend a plan of action

U.S. businesses took a share of the $5.3 billion in utility energy efficiency programs, which included $4.4 billion for electric energy efficiency programs, up 38 percent from the previous year, and $930 million for natural gas programs, up by 79 percent. Electric energy-efficiency programs focus on commercial and industrial facilities, while natural gas programs more often target residential customers.

Utility energy efficiency programs also expanded geographically with programs now offered in 46 states, compared to only 37 states in 2008.

Check out rebates incentives for commercial / industrial / warehouse facilities:

• New York energy rebates
• Pennsylvania energy rebates

Implementing energy efficiency programs are cheaper for utilities and their customers rather than adding new sources of electricity, according to an ACEEE report released last year. The report found that the average cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy efficiency is about 2.5 cents, compared to 7 to 15 cents per kWh for adding new energy generation.

Another report from ACEEE last year estimates that the federal energy-efficiency target for reducing electricity and gas usage could result in utility bill savings of $168.6 billion for consumers and businesses.

Source

• The New York Energy $mart Program, offers incentives for energy-efficient lighting projects implemented by participants in NYSERDA’s Commercial Lighting Program.
• Long Island Power Authority offers a variety of incentives for its non-residential customers to increase the energy efficiency of their facilities through its Commercial Construction Program.
• New York’s National Grid program offers a range of related services that complement the above two energy efficiency programs and assist their large commercial customers with identifying and installing energy efficient technologies.
• The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has funding available for capital improvement projects that save energy and improve productivity, for existing facilities or new construction.
• There are also federal incentives through the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 which established a tax deduction for energy-efficient commercial buildings applicable to qualifying systems and buildings placed in service.  This program has been extended until the end of 2013.

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy (ACEEE) “energy efficiency job provisions would create about 333,000 jobs in 2010 and then 184,000 jobs in 2011…” Recently introduced was the “Building STAR Energy Efficiency Rebate Act of 2010”. This Act is to create the potential for over 100,000 jobs in 2010 and over 50,000+ jobs in 2011 and offer businesses a number of rebates for a percentage of the cost incorporated in energy efficiency.  Similar to “Building STAR” is the “Home Star” program, except directed towards commercial assistance.

A number of businesses are already benefiting from these efficiency programs and have decreased their inefficient use of energy, thus cutting expenses.  By lowering expenses money will be able to be allocated in other areas, such as a reduction in products, additional jobs, etc.  “Going green” is a popular phrase used in today’s society and both federal & state authorities are showing their support.  Consumers are buying hybrid cars, Energy STAR appliances, and building “greener” homes.