The Greatest Efficiencies Are Gained Through Retrofits

This year’s report by the Energy Institute – Energy Barometer 2016 – suggests that retrofitting and equipment upgrades will make the greatest energy efficiency gains over the next three years. As lighting typically accounts for 25% of a building’s energy usage, the case for making savings of up to 85% by installing Goodlight retrofit LED lighting is compelling.

To improve energy performance, IAG Cargo opted to replace existing sodium high bay light fittings with LED alternatives at its Ascentis handling centre at Heathrow Airport. The company’s overriding objective was to achieve maximum energy reduction whilst retaining like-for-like lighting levels.

Since installation, the continuing ‘real life’ results are phenomenal. Electricity usage and CO₂ emissions have been reduced by 60% with total savings of over 1.7 million kWh and 900 tonnes of CO₂ each year. This equates to an annual energy cost saving of well over £200,000 with a payback period of less than three years. Furthermore, over the lifetime of the Goodlight luminaires, in excess of 5,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions will be eradicated.

Writtle College is another tremendous example of the energy and cost savings achieved by Goodlight retrofit LED lighting. As well as providing almost £18,000 in annual energy savings, the installation has provided significantly reduced maintenance costs. Overall, the total savings equate to a two year ROI plus more than £191,000 saved and during the lifespan of the lighting.

During a trial to gauge performance, energy consumption and reliability, the new LED lighting achieved a 59% reduction in energy use – from 278,000kWh to 115,000kWh plus a staggering 88Kg of CO₂ saved. Consequently, the Estates Team commissioned the installation of Goodlight retrofit LED throughout the entire campus.

Specific performance improvements included the elimination of dark areas and shadows whilst achieving consistent, high quality levels of light with no flicker or colour variance. Increased average lux levels have also been reached in key areas, such as the site’s two Lecture Theatres, to meet with CIBSE recommendations.

Goodlight’s sales and marketing director, Saima Shafi, says, “As a company, we have always understood the enormous benefits of retrofit LED lighting and our award-winning Goodlight range is a proven major contributor to energy and cost savings in countless applications. We are therefore extremely pleased that the Energy Institute’s report so clearly stated that retrofitting has such a major role in achieving energy efficiency gains.”