Welcome to the April/May 2011
issue of ENERGY MONTHLY
In this issue...
Introduction
It is always something of a surprise to me when I learn that someone has put off the decision to retrofit their facility with energy efficient lighting. Sometimes, of course, the decision is mandated by financial problems, but I have learned that too often, it just doesn’t get the attention of decision makers and therefore large amounts of money are just wasted.
This seems to be a 2nd and 3rd quarter phenomenon. In the 1st and 4th quarters, budgets are high on everyone’s priority list and making the budgeted improvements goes easily. For some reason, as soon as the weather begins to turn for the better, these important decisions get set aside. Still, when September comes around the proposals that have been sitting on someone’s desk since April are suddenly acted upon. The tragedy is that if they were acted upon in April, the savings alone would have paid for a substantial part of the project.
Last month I reported on the growing trend within the Utility community to start reducing rebates. Energy efficient lighting retrofits provide such a high return on investment, that Utilities no longer think that rebates are necessary to stimulate this form of conservation.
Delaying your decision might take you out of the rebate process thereby making the decision to wait far more costly.
Why not take a minute right now and call Aelux so we can start saving you money on your electric bill, increase your productivity and your bottom line, before the 4th quarter.
Skip Pasternak
President, Aelux
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Light Bulbs Spark Heated Discussion
While many are pushing for energy efficiency bills these days, sparks fly at a Senate hearing to discuss a provision in a 2007 energy law that would phase out the sale of the most energy-hungry light bulbs over the next few years, starting in 2012.
Republicans feels the language is overreaching, while Democrats argue "the standards are crucial to save energy and spur investment in new, more efficient lighting options."
The panel’s chairman, Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), tried to keep the discussion centered on clearing up misconceptions surrounding the controversial law, such as the notions that it bans incandescents or forces consumers to buy CFLs.
"I hope the record today will confirm, as I understand, that not only will consumers continue to be able to buy incandescent bulbs that look the same as those they currently buy, but provide the same quality light as traditional incandescent bulbs, but these bulbs will last longer, use less energy and save consumers money," Bingaman said.
The end to this debate is not in sight, as a committee aide said the committee has no immediate plans to mark up either bill.
It is hard to believe that a bulb which is so energy inefficient that they are better used as heating elements in Easy-Bake Ovens than as light sources, can be the target of such a heated debate.
One question to ask ourselves...is a future without 100-watt incandescent light bulbs such a bad thing?
(Source)
Lighting Insight: A Polished Perspective
Intelligent Lighting for Commerical Buildings
In our February issue we talked about “Taking Control for a Brighter Future“ noting that lighting controls can generate up to a 50 percent energy savings in existing buildings. So, it was interesting to learn that only a small percentage of the lighting in commercial buildings is controlled by anything other than an ON/OFF switch.
Pike Research offers a number of trends which are leading many to increased adoption of intelligent lighting controls. "In addition to the drive to cut energy consumption, there is recognition that lighting control systems can contribute to the pursuit of green building certifications. In addition, more lighting control systems are networked and centrally controlled, enabling them to be connected to building energy management systems and Smart Grid applications. Wireless technologies are providing options for implementing lighting controls in buildings where installing wired systems wouldn’t previously have been practical." (Source)
While this is exciting news, don’t be in such a hurry to jump on the bandwagon. Selecting the right lighting retrofit partner is important, especially when you only want to spend labor money once. While upgrading lighting fixtures, ballasts and lamps to high-efficiency systems, the labor that upgrades fixtures or ballasts can add lighting controls during the same project.
Happy Earth Month
As the tail end of Earth Month surrounds us, let’s take a moment to look back on our conservatory actions, or our lack thereof.
Can we carry on these actions all year long? And do we have opportunities to make a lasting change for the better? Let’s ask ourselves how can we do it better - and reduce our company’s carbon footprint now and for the future.
Conservation is more than recognizing Earth hour. It is a new way of life for businesses—a way of life that recognizing energy conservation and high ROI investments—that will ultimately increase our bottom-line.
Hope you made Mother Earth proud!
Meet the Team: Jake Richter
Jake has been with Aelux for more than 3 years. He started as a summer intern and enjoyed the company culture and the Aelux environmental commitment. The summer following his internship he joined us full time, and has been an integral part of the team ever since. Jake has worked in many areas of the business, from conducting lighting surveys to supervising installations. These duties have taken him all over the country. Now he’s often found in the office making sure operations are running smoothly and keeping you informed of your project’s schedule.
In his spare time, Jake enjoys being with family and friends and discussing philosophy. His most recent endeavor is trying to become conversant in Spanish.
Jake Richter
Operations
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