lighting transition

  Transition to Energy-Efficient LED Lighting

Project Overview

The lighting system currently in use at our Hub requires significant improvements to enhance energy efficiency security and user experience. The existing setup is a mix of old fluorescent and halogen lights that contribute to high energy consumption and inadequate lighting control. This project aims to replace outdated lighting with modern LED solutions, and install motion sensors and photocells,resulting in substantial energy savings and improved functionality.

 Objectives

1. Reduce Energy Consumption

Achieve at least a 60% reduction in energy usage by upgrading to LED lighting.

2. Enhance User Comfort:

Provide adjustable lighting options to ensure comfort for all users throughout the facility.

3. Increase Security:

Install motion sensors and floodlights for enhanced security & safety in outdoor and poorly lit areas.

4. Leverage Volunteer Support: Utilize volunteers to assist with the transition process, thereby reducing overall costs.

Scope of Work

- Improvements to  original Assessments of our Current System: Review existing lighting conditions in all areas to determine specific needs for upgrades. In some cases assess if for example one lamp would be enough

- Procurement of Materials: potentially buy second hand or upcycled equipment, or we buy LED lights from the building supplier our charity is registered with, offering discounts to our charity.

- Installation: Implement the new lighting, utilizing volunteers for tasks where feasible, while hiring a registered electrician for warranty purposes.

- Installation of Security Lighting: Include motion sensors and floodlights as recommended by community police for enhanced security.

Project Description and Recommended Solution  

The majority of the lighting in the older building has already been upgraded with modern LED luminaires equipped with occupancy detectors. However, we still need to replace the remaining older fluorescent and halogen lighting throughout the site with modern LED fixtures and appropriate controls. This upgrade could save over 60% in energy consumption.

Benefits, Costs, and Financing  

LED lights consume less electricity and have a much longer lifespan compared to conventional lighting. It was estimated that installing modern LED lighting and controls could save us up to £3,199 annually. The total cost for replacing the luminaires with LEDs was estimated at £8,550 (this varied massively between our quotes lowest and highest proving the estimate about right), This investment was estimated as a simple payback period of 2.7 years, which could be reduced to 0.7 years with a 75% cashback. Additionally, this upgrade has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 3.2 tonnes of CO2e.

This evaluation was presented to the management team before we took over from the Council. We have already reduced the time that these lights are on by manually switching them on and off, and we have removed several unnecessary, energy-hungry lights from the system. 

We recommend making further upgrades, especially for our security floodlighting. Installing motion sensors for these lights would be invaluable, as they were highly recommended by the police. They noted that a building that lights up upon approach is a significant deterrent to opportunist thieves. This upgrade would also enhance safety for individuals who arrive in the morning or leave at night, providing better visibility while they lock up or approach the hub. The management team believes that installing motion sensors and energy-efficient floodlights at both of the main access doors would be an easy and effective start to our energy transition.

We also recommend we install some more CCTV cameras with these floodlights as flytipping and vandalism has occurred in areas we do not currently cover with cameras,

Budget Estimates on a like for like basis, suppled and installed by a contractor

 Funding Considerations

- Charity Discounts: Explore purchasing options through suppliers where our charity receives a 10% discount.

- Grants and Bids: Review external funding opportunities to supplement the project costs.

- Clarification on Funding: Confirm guidelines from potential funders regarding funding for projects already in progress.

Previous hoped for enablement funding from the council on lighting - no longer an option

 Responsibilities

- Project Lead: Designate a dedicated individual to oversee the project, coordinating between volunteers and contractors.

- Volunteer Coordination: Recruit and manage volunteers for installation and setup.

- Contractor Oversight: Select and liaise with a registered electrical contractor for final installation and certification.

Conclusion

The transition to an energy-efficient LED lighting system represents a crucial step toward enhancing our facility's sustainability, comfort, and security. By proceeding with careful planning and execution, we can significantly reduce energy costs and improve the overall user experience in our hub. Immediate action is necessary to secure funds and approve plans for efficient project completion. we can also incorporate the lighting into our smart building technologies