energy saving on bank of fluorescents

[salisbury spark]

Customer has room with 19 sets of 2 tubes
Asked me where he can save money. Not having any commercial experience said i would go away and look into it.

Has them all come on together -large unit but only 1 staff member
Thought of asking him to work more effectively by putting certain processes in one area each -so can split lights into zones rather than all on together.

Or maybe one of those pir sensors turning off any unused zones.

These are standard light units - is there energy efficient versions?
Very low ceilings so cant have 'bay/Son' type lighting.

Some tubes have failed but still glow at edges - should he remove these or will this interfere with startup/ballast problems?

Any advice welcome -thanks

 

[tony.towa]

I seem to be starting all my answers with questions at the moment and this is another one.

First off what is the approximate length, width and height of the unit?
What size tubes are in the fittings? (length)
Thirdly what type of use is the unit put to? (storage, manufacturing general, manufacturing intricate)
With this information a suitable plan can be created to give a suitable lighting plan.

Using passives could be an option but fluorescents are at their most efficient when they are running and starting them up actually gives the greatest degradation. Whilst their electricty bill can be reduced the requirement for replacement tubes is increased. There are fittings aavailable on the market which automatically give the optimum output for the conditions, inculing taking personnel useage and ambient into consideration. Menlo Lighting used to supply fittings which were capable of doing this, expensive initially but can save quite a bit on running costs.

 

[spark-doctor]

I saw something the other day. (was not working, honest). You rip out ALL of the control gear. Fit a thiner, shorter tube with a adapter on one end and a new type of ballast on the other end, like a tube extension. They are about 12" long and are supposed to give a 15% saving over a month and extend tube life by 20%.

Have not looked into them much so have little details but will keep digging.

 

[mpfisher@hotmai]

I've read somewhere (or maybe i dreampt it) that they are phasing out filiment lamps by 2011. So green is the future! (slightly off on a tangent there)

Mark

 

[ian.settle1]

I seem to be starting all my answers with questions at the moment and this is another one.

First off what is the approximate length, width and height of the unit?
What size tubes are in the fittings? (length)
Thirdly what type of use is the unit put to? (storage, manufacturing general, manufacturing intricate)
With this information a suitable plan can be created to give a suitable lighting plan.

Using passives could be an option but fluorescents are at their most efficient when they are running and starting them up actually gives the greatest degradation. Whilst their electricty bill can be reduced the requirement for replacement tubes is increased. There are fittings aavailable on the market which automatically give the optimum output for the conditions, inculing taking personnel useage and ambient into consideration. Menlo Lighting used to supply fittings which were capable of doing this, expensive initially but can save quite a bit on running costs.

If you use PIR's then it is better to use HF fluorecent fittings as the is no inrush of current as in the old starter/ballast type.

 

[salisbury spark]

thanks again guys

Looks out of my league -with calcs etc.

Will pass him over to a specialist lighting company rather than bodge around and fit something to partially do the job without everything taken into consideration...

 

[jibspark]

any use? WattManager reduces light bill: WattManager reduces electrical energy consumption for lighting, HID fixture - Nakahoma

or maybe a cap could be used somewhere?

 

[mysticalelecy]

i would zone them and upgrade the lighting to osram DALI system this works by sensing movement and also adjusting the light level in accordance with daylight lux levels, can save a small fortune in running cost by providing the exact amount of light needed and will pay for it self.......