How an LED Lighting Consultant Can Reduce Energy Costs

Many business owners are looking for quick fixes to help afford rising utility costs, but lighting is not the first place they turn to for action even if it's one of the easiest places to save money. A smart LED lighting upgrade is the process of upgrading and replacing all old, inefficient lighting in a facility with new LED systems based on real-life usage requirements. A seasoned LED lighting consultant can assist businesses in determining the appropriate fixtures, controls, and upgrade methods to ensure maximum energy savings.

Changing individual bulbs when they burn out seems like a sensible thing to do but it's not usually a cost-effective solution. Color mismatches between fixtures, brightness inconsistencies, and missing out on the chance to install features such as sensors or dimmers can lower potential returns. If a coordinated plan is not in place, businesses could be continuing to waste energy on lighting while not realizing the energy efficiency a full lighting upgrade can provide.

The Role of a Consultant in Cutting Costs

That's where the skill of a professional LED lighting consultant comes in. A consultant can audit the facility to determine energy use and identify where energy is not being used efficiently, and model the different pathways available for improvement and how they will affect the building's budget, rather than guessing at fixture numbers or wattage. The data-driven starting point is a place that is going to help you distinguish between a quick payback and an underperforming renovation.

Every project that Harth Lighting designs is driven by an audit like this – combining LED retrofit analysis with design and performance consulting to ensure that recommendations are grounded in actual data and numbers.

What a Cost-Focused Renovation Plan Includes

A retrofit to save on energy costs usually includes the following:

• To set up a baseline of energy usage through a facility wide audit

• Fixture and control selection that is appropriate for the space and the hours used.

• Safety measures to prevent daily disruptions during installation.Installation scheduling in phases to avoid disruption of daily operation.

• Coordinate rebate and incentives to cover initial expenses

• Post-installation verification to ensure that the expected savings have been achieved.

Each of these steps can mean missing out on savings, and is why a controlled process is better than an ad-hoc fixture swap.

Where the Savings Actually Come From

There are several factors at play that help lower energy bills: LEDs use much less energy to produce the same amount of light; they generate much less waste heat, which reduces cooling costs; and smart controls reduce energy consumption even more when they are not in use. These savings, along with fewer maintenance visits and longer fixture lives, add up to substantial savings beyond the original electricity bill savings.

Finding the Right Partner for the Project

A good partner takes ownership of the project from audit to installation and not just the installation. Careful project management, rebate coordination, installation and performance verification are all important components of a well-planned LED lighting renovation. Inquire into previous commercial projects, rebate experience, and if performance is verified after the job is done, as these can be key to the success of a renovation and meeting its cost-saving goals.

All the way from initial assessment to construction and installation, Harth Lighting is your one-stop solution for business clients, who know that they will have one reliable source to turn to throughout the entire process.

Final Thoughts

Reducing energy consumption from lighting is not a matter of changing bulbs, it's a matter of planning the change around data and carefully executing it. Companies that seek the help of an expert are likely to recover sooner, and without as many unpleasant surprises, as the others do.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How quickly will a lighting renovation lower my energy bill?

Following the installation, most businesses are able to see a significant reduction in their next utility bill and the project pays itself off within 2 to 4 years.

2. Is a full renovation better than replacing fixtures as they fail?

Yes, in most cases. A coordinated renovation assures a match of products, maximizes rebates, and provides a measurable savings throughout the renovation, not just focused on any single improvement.

3. What does an energy audit involve before a renovation begins?

An audit records the number, wattage and hours used for all fixtures throughout the facility, providing a benchmark for projected savings after the new system is in place.