go green | Synergy Lighting

Compact Fluorescent’s Look As Great As Incandescent

29/09/10 0 COMMENTS

COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMPS SAVE ENERGY

With the passing of the amended Energy Independence and securities Act (D.O.E. 2012 law), the phasing out of incandescent and halogen lamps is in full swing. One of the latest businesses to make this change is Yoder’s Amish Gift Shop in Sarasota, Florida. When we first approached the Owner Anna, about making this change, she was reluctant to accept the change because of a fear that switching from incandescent or halogen wouldn’t look as good as using a compact fluorescent product in this charming gift store. However the new law and the energy savings were quite enticing for Anna, and with the Federal Government chipping in on the replacement cost. Switching was a no brainer, if it would look as good!

Synergy Lighting Offers Top Brands

Synergy Lighting recommended a specific brand of Compact Fluorescent Lamps manufactured by TCP and Halco, which are both major manufacturers of compact fluorescent light bulbs in the U.S. who lamps meet the Energy Star standards for Quality, Life, Color, and Safety. These low energy, environmentally friendly products were changed out by staff when the Owner Anna was out on business, and was as easy as unscrewing the old bulbs and screwing in the new ones.

Of particular interest is the phone call Synergy Lighting received after the light bulbs had been changed. It started with Anna asking when the light bulbs would be delivered. Just as we predicted, the change was so perfect, that even Anna didn’t realize that she was using fluorescent energy savers until we told her it had already been done!

 

For more information on switching to Energy Saving, Compact Fluorescent Bulbs with Federal Financial Assitance, view our website and call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

 

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

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BP Gas Station Goes Green With Induction Lighting

23/09/10 0 COMMENTS

Everyone these days is a consumer of gasoline, and in the United States there are nearly 280,000 Gas Stations and Convenient Stores offering customers a seemingly unlimited supply of petroleum, fast food, quick service and easy access. Despite prices at the pump, or the somewhat higher prices of convenience, these stores operate on extremely tight margins and depend highly on volume based sales.

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of Gas Station and Convenient Stores which often operate well into the late night hours. Owners and Operators need to be highly aware of subconscious reactions from customers that may shy away to an adjacent competitor based upon the appearance of the business at night. Naturally, people are drawn to businesses that give a stronger sense of cleanliness, friendly service and an environment that feels safe and secure. Well lighted spaces both indoors and outdoors sends a clear message to customers that you are open and ready to conduct business.

Gas Station Lighting Systems

Typically a Gas Station or Convenience Store has outdoor lighting that consists of 3 different types of lighting. These are Canopy Lighting over pumps and portico’s, Wall Packs mounted to the building structure and Parking Lot Lighting. These fixture types are usually Metal Halide – High Intensity Discharge Systems which provide high levels of illumination along with extreme amounts of glare. With the ever growing size of the stores offering more and more products and services to clientele, the lighting systems can become quite extensive with massive amounts of fixtures to draw in customers. However the operating and maintenance costs of the metal halide system is extremely high. The metal halide lighting systems suffer from a wide variety of problems from color shift (lamps turning pink and green) and if not replaced regularly well before the useful life is reached of the lamps, the metal halide lamps will lose an average of 35% of its original light output.

GAS STATION METAL HALIDE CANOPY LIGHTING

GAS STATION CANOPY INDUCTION LIGHTING AFTER

The Advantage Of Induction Lighting

An alternative to the Metal Halide lighting systems is LED Lighting, and Induction Lighting. Each offer distinct advantages, however the Induction Lighting System offers a greater cost

effectiveness while drawing in larger volumes of traffic flow to a gas station. Unlike metal halide which suffers from rapid lumen depreciation and color shift, the induction lighting system maintains 95% of its lumen output and never changes colors. The induction system uses a cathode-less high lumen fluorescent lamp which operates at much cooler temperatures and requires up to 68% less energy than metal halide. A standard 320W Pulse Start or 400W Metal Halide canopy fixture can be retrofitted with a 200 Watt induction fixture and provide higher light levels with tremendous savings. Because the induction system does not use cathode lamps, the systems offers 20 years of maintenance free operation with no bulb or ballast replacements as there is no cathode to burn out and the generator is completely electronic. This is a phenomenal feature that rivals LED Lighting systems with twice the life and less than half the cost. The induction lighting system offered by Synergy Lighting come standard with 5000K Pure Natural Daylight Lamps which most closely resemble natural sun light. This creates a very bright, clean and glare free presentation to customers and is attributed to increased customer traffic and sales.

The BP Gas Station and Convenience Store pictured in this article utilized Synergy Lighting’s 5000K Induction Lighting Fixtures. The end result for BP is a higher level of attraction to clientele, 20 years of maintenance free operation and a cost savings over the life of the fixtures in excess of $300,000. BP Corporate and franchise stores often operate at 5% net profit. This means that the energy and cost savings to BP is equal to an increased revenue of $6,000,000.00 not to mention the increased revenue resulting from the increased customer traffic.

 

Where there is light, there is Synergy Lighting. For more information on switching to Energy Saving, Induction Lighting, view our website and call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

 

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

Installation of this Project was Performed by WES Inc. FL-EC0001689

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Mattress Store | Brighter And Whiter Is Better

18/09/10 0 COMMENTS

In retail most business owners take careful planning into the walls, the floors, and how products are displayed. But often we find that smaller business neglect to recognize the need for good lighting. Often times business owners tell us that by the time they get the store up and running that a good lighting system is not in the budget. Great lighting doesn’t have to come from any large expense. This is a misconception and due to lack of knowledge.

Great Lighting Is Not Expensive

MATTRESS STORE GREAT LIGHTING SELLS

Great lighting can be created by simply selecting a fairly inexpensive light bulb that is appropriate for the type of products being displayed, or sold. Factors to consider are the primary colors of merchandise, reflectance of walls and floors as well as natural day lighting coming in through windows. When we look at a situation such as a Mattress Store, the primary color is white. Therefore having light bulbs that give the truest tone of white coloring, the mattresses will look whiter and brighter.

There Is No Excuse For Bad Lighting

On a visit to another local mattress store, the sales person informed us that they did not want bright white light bulbs in their ceiling because they did not want customers to lay down and stare into a bright light. However retail logic tells us that customers are not concerned with what is in the ceiling, just how great the product they are interested in buying appears. So when Land Of Sleep decided to purchase natural White Light Bulbs from Synergy Lighting, they did exactly what any great mattress store should do. Make their product look amazing!

Making The Change Is Easy

The change over to Natural White Lighting for this mattress retailer was inexpensive and resulted in a 40% energy savings over traditional 4 lamp fluorescent fixtures. No new fixtures or large expenses was needed, just a simple change of light bulbs to do the trick!  Not only was the change a dramatic effect, but it paid for itself from the energy savings. Now when customers come in to view a mattress, the product looks stunning, sales are increased and when laying down to try the matress out, customers can close their eyes and picture themselves in mattress heaven!

 

For more information on Natural White Light Bulbs, view our website and call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

 

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

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Convert HID or Metal Halide To CFL with the new Litetronics High Wattage CFL System

25/08/10 0 COMMENTS

With the economical crunch over the past few years and the ever growing popularity of going green, converting hid to CFL has become a growing trend. By simply by passing the HID ballast and screwing in a Compact Fluorescent Lamp, business have discovered that the S/P Ratio (Scotopic to Photopic Lumens) is great enough to be a viable option, providing adequate light.

Drawbacks of Retrofitting HID To CFL

As great of an option as this procedure is, many customers have found that the line voltage supplied to their HID fixtures is greater than 120 Volts, typically 208, 240 or 277 volt. In these cases, customer find themselves either not being able to find a CFL bulb in those voltages, with the exception of the TCP 277V spiral, or that the fixtures are too small to fit an equal wattage CFL bulb. For customers with 208, 240 volt system, the only option has been to pay large expenditures in order to convert electric panels, and rewire to accommodate lower voltages.

Litetronics New High Wattage CFL System Makes Retrofitting Affordable

Litetronics, a leading producer of innovative CFL products has introduced its full line of HID to CFL retrofit kits. These kits include a non-ballasted CFL high wattage lamp for easy screw in the socket installation with a remote multi-volt ballast capable of 120, 208, 240 or 277 Volt systems. Because these new CFL lamps are non-ballasted, the have a much smaller MOL (Maximum Overall Length), and can fit into virtually any HID fixture from wall packs, parking lot lights, high bays and parking garage canopy lights.

LITETRONICS HIGH WATTAGE CFL

Benefits Include:

  • 10,000-hour life
  • 85 CRI, 5000k natural white
  • 65 Up to 150 watts
  • Excellent lumen maintenance
  • Advanced Amalgam maintains optimal lumens
  • Instant start and instant restrike
  • Reduced color shift compared to metal halide
  • External ballast reduces lamp replacement costs

Litetronics high watt compact fluorescent lamps (CFL’s) are designed to replace HID lamps in high bay applications for energy savings and higher ROI. They off er high 85 CRI for excellent color rendition, and they promise reliable operation with instant start and instant re-strike. Unlike HID lamps, Litetronics high watt CFLs have no color shift over time, and they have lower glare and higher lumen maintenance. With a lower system cost than HID, Litetronics high watt CFL’s are the best solution for high and low bay lighting.

Litetronics high watt CFL’s utilize an external ballast, which offers better heat management than self-ballasted high wattage CFL’s. When the lamp and ballast are together in a self-ballasted lamp, heat builds up in a condensed area, which leads to premature failures. Separating the lamp and ballast allows for better heat management, which translates into maximum life and lumen maintenance. The external ballast also reduces lamp replacement costs compared to self-ballasted CFLs because you only need to replace the lamp at end of life instead of the lamp and ballast. This means that Litetronics high watt CFL’s are more cost-effective and provide higher ROI than alternative high bay CFL lighting. Litetronics high watt CFL’s also have a smaller MOL than competing lamps, which provides better optics out of the fixture. For superior high bay lighting, Litetronics high watt CFL’s are the fi rst choice.

 

For more information view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.  

 

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

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MSI New IPAR-38 LED provides amazing light control with Powerband™ Technology

20/08/10 0 COMMENTS

IPAR-38 FROM MSI LED LIGHT BULBEvery now and again we are surprised with innovative new products that come to market. One product that doesn’t let us down with design and innovation is the New 10 Watt IPAR-38 Dimmable LED from MSI. This product offers a variety of features not found in any other product thus far, and carries a complete 5 year factory warranty which is 2 years more than any other competitor, and comes at a very affordable price with up to 90% energy savings.  The dimming range and power band ring control for light output was smooth and precise. Compared to other LED Par 38 light bulbs, we had to share this with our customers. The MSI IPAR-38 is currently available for immediate rush delivery.  [Video below]

Powerband™ Technology
This proprietary feature allows the flexibility of producing light outputs based on 10 watts, 12 watts or 16 watts, with a simple twist of the band. This will create lumen outputs of 550 lumens, 650 lumens or 800 lumens respectively.  Now you can optimize your lighting design both in terms of light output as well as light energy savings, and all with one unique bulb!

Proprietary Intelligent Communication (PIC)
This patent pending feature allows the bulb to communicate via a sophisticated electronic light wave pattern, information such as, manufacturing information, installation information, hours of use and wattage settings. This is especially important due to the extremely long bulb life, but also can play a key role in overall energy evaluation, maintenance and design.

Efficiency
Led technology saves up to 80% of the light energy cost of current 75 watt Halogen bulbs.  In addition, the iPAR-38 unique construction provides the Center Beam power that truly creates a lighting experience previously unattainable in this technology.

Reliability
POWERBAND TECHNOLOGY WITH IPAR-38 FROM MSIDesigned and built with the highest level of components available today, including industry leading CREE LED’s, this UL approved product is produced in a world class manufacturing environment to the highest level of quality standards to assure a minimum of 50,000 hour bulb life, more than 20 times the life of standard Halogen bulbs.

Thermal Management
A hidden advantage of this bulb is its highly efficient thermal management system. With operating temperatures at 50% less than Halogen bulbs, this bulb not only saves on lighting energy costs, but also reduces air conditioning costs due to the drastic heat reduction.  Validated testing has conclusively proven that for every 1 watt of light energy saved, a 1/2 watt of secondary air conditioning savings is also achieved.

Worldwide Installation
The iPAR-38 LED bulb has been designed with a universal voltage power supply of 85 volts to 265 volts with an on board power management system allowing this product to be installed in virtually any country in the world!

Dimmability 

Another key advantage of the iPAR-38 program is its ability to dim throughout the power range with virtually any dimmer on the market today!

Beam color and angles

Designed for accent lighting applications the iPAR-38 is available in  both 2700 and 3000 Kelvin and comes in a variety of beam angles including a 10 degree spot, a 16 degree wide spot and a 22.5 degree narrow flood. In addition, each bulb optic has been designed to provide superior beam conformation, peripheral lighting and intense Center Beam saturation to create a truly superior high powered accent light as well as room filling lighting coverage.

 

For more information on LED Lighitng or LED Light Bulbs, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

 

Download: MSI IPAR-38 SPEC SHEET

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

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Superior Life LED T8 Light Bulbs Provide Great Lighting

19/08/10 0 COMMENTS

T8 LED LIGHT BULBThe transformation of the lighting industry to LED (Light emitting Diodes) is growing more and more popular. Customers often ask if there are fluorescent light bulb replacements with LED. In years past the answer was yes, and followed by pure disappointment for those who purchased these lamps. However with the Superior Life T8 LED lamp, disappointment is far from our professional vocabulary.

The Superior Life LED T8 lamp is an efficient way to light sockets once traditionally reserved for linear fluorescent tubes. They consume up to 80% less energy, thereby significantly reducing operating costs. The superior life hours of this lamp makes it ideal for hard to reach places, reducing maintenance.

• 50,000 hour operation
• No ballasts required
• Warm or Natural White
• Mercury Free
• No UV
• No Projected Heat

Recently one of our customers retrofitted their entire operation to LED Superior Life T8 Lamps, you can decide for yourself if these new LED’s do the job with pure satisfaction!

SUPERIOR LIFE LED T8 LAMPS

 

For more information on LED Lighitng or LED Light Bulbs, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

 

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

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T8 Fluorescent High Bay Fixtures | Reduce Costs

19/08/10 0 COMMENTS

One of the most common forms of industrial warehouse and large commercial lighting is Metal Halide High Bays. These fixtures which are often selected initially because of their high lumens per watt and relatively low price are found virtually every where you look. They can be found in Grocery Stores such as Publix, and Retail Stores Like Sports Authority and HHGregg as well as 90% of all warehouses. We like to refer to these fixtures as the “Engineers Choice” when a new construction project is being developed. They are easy to specify, very bright and can be laid out using a relatively low amount of fixtures.

Metal Halide High Bays Are Really Not Efficient

It is highly likely that the era of the Metal Halide High Bay still being used today is not out of necessity or efficiency but merely that of imitating others. “Well, Best Buy has those lights, we should too”. The unfortunate situation is that nobody upfront considers the true reality of metal halide lighting. This reality is:

  • Color shift, lights turning green and pink
  • Enormous electricity cost of operation
  • High priced replacements of ballasts and bulbs
  • High heat loads emiting from the light fixture
  • Possible harm from explosion and uv radiation
  • Long start up and restrike time

T8 Fluorescent High Bay Fixtures Can Do The Job

T8 Fluorescent has been around for years, in fact you may have them above your head right now in an office! Most people do not realize that those lights used in the office can also be used to provide the high levels of light required where Metal Halide High Bay fixtures may exist. T8 Fluorescent has improved so dramatically just in the past 12 months, that these lamps can now be used for the same purpose. Using specially designed 6 lamp T8 High Bay fixtures such as those available through Synergy Lighting can reduce the electrical consumption by 54% compared to 400 Watt Metal halide Fixtures. Warm up and Restrike times from power outages is elliminated with Instant On/Off illumination. Additionally, there are large tax deductions available to those who makes this change.

Benefits achieved are:

  • No color shift with aging lamps
  • Improved light quality without hot-spots
  • 54% energy savings
  • 210% reduction in heat output from the light fixture
  • 70% reduction of maintenance costs
  • Ellimination of safety hazards
  • Instant On / Off

MH400 METAL HALIDE HIGHBAY T8 FLUORESCENT HIGH BAY
The above retail store converted from MH400 Highbays using 468 watts per fixture to T8 Highbays supplied by Synergy Lighting using only 221 watts per fixture.

Installation of this Project was Performed by WES Inc. FL-EC0001689

High Bay Comparison Super T8 6 LAMP 400 WATT METAL HALIDE
Average cost per bulb $1.99 $24.95
Average ballast cost $17.00 $86.00
Hour life of bulbs 36,000 20,000
Energy cost per year (.13 pkw) $110.32 $237.27
Total Fixture Wattage 221 468
Heat Emissions Temp 130 F 480 F
Hot Spots on Floor NONE YES
Color shifting of lamps NONE OFTEN
Danger of explosion NONE HIGH
Time to change bulb 10 minutes 10 minutes
Warranty 5 year 2 year
Color Rendering For Retail Excellent Average

A Metal Halide lamp has a rated life of 20,000 hours compared to 36,000 hours of a ECO Friendly Super T8 Fluorescent. For more information view our MH to T5/T8 Retrofit Flyer, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation. Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

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LED Chandelier Light Bulb Makes Big Difference

08/08/10 0 COMMENTS

TCP LED CHANDELIER WALL SCONCE LIGHT BULBS

Switching to LED lighting is something most people are seemingly interested in.  However, when the typical cost of an LED light bulb is learned, that urgency begins to take a back seat to the urgency to hold tight on spending. The initial cost of most LED light bulbs is very high compared to the cost of an incandescent bulb. In the LED light bulb world, all things must be treated equally. This means you spend a little, you save a little, spend a lot and save a lot.  Sometimes in switching to LED lighting, we recommend that customers start with spending a little and saving a little to get used to the benefits of LED’s in commercial and residential use.

One of the most common types of incandescent light bulb used in both residential and commercial lighting is chandelier (B-Type) lamps. These type lamps are typically found in the 25 Watt and 40 Watt lamps and rarely found without multiple lamps per fixture such as a multi-point chandelier. Although we individually don’t look at these lamps as using much electricity, when you add up all the bulbs on an 8 point chandelier, it can add up to 500 Watts which in itself is very significant. Let’s look at a new product that can drastically reduce this consumption.

LDCT3WH30K LED Chandelier Bulb

The new LDCT3WH30K is a 3 Watt LED Chandelier Torpedo style lamp made by TCP. The lamp offers one of the smallest packages that most closely resembles the size and shape of an incandescent B-Type lamp while delivering maximum light output from a tower of SMD LED’scentered in the envelope. The tower array allows for 360° illumination while a circle of SMD LED’s on the top of the tower array direct light upwards as well. This arrangement of LED’s allow the lamp to perfectly illuminate chandelier lamp shades that can easily clip on to the lamps outer housing.  If used bare in a chandelier, the lamp closely replicates the light output of an incandescent, and would hardly be noticeable to anyone who wasn’t looking for it to be different.  Because of the very small Solid State electronics placed within the base of the LCDT3WH30K, dimming is no problem for this LED bulb. Heat output is also drastically reduced by the LDCT3WH30K LED light bulb.

LED CHANDELIER LIGHT BULBSThe TCP LED lamp delivery a consistant 3000K which is the color that most correctly resembles a halogen bulb, so incandescent users may see a slightly whiter output from the lamp, but seems to not be so different as to pull a negative review from customers. This difference in color creates a cleaner and just as bright feel for any chandelier, pendant or wall sconce. Now the biggest benefit of the 3 Watt LED lamp is that it can replace up to a 40 Watt Incandescent without any noticeable light loss. In an example of an 8 pt. chandelier, energy waste is reduced from 500 Watts per fixture to only 24 Watts,  for a total savings of 476 Watts.

Here is how that breaks down into savings:

Comparison 40 Watt Incandescent 3 Watt LED Chandelier
Average cost per bulb $.39 $18.39
Hours used per year 3850 3850
Hour life of bulb 1500 30,000
Energy cost per year (.13 pkw) $22.76 $1.70
Product life in years 4 months 7 Years
7 year Energy Cost $159.32 $11.90
Replacements required 21 n/a
Time to change bulb 10 minutes 10 minutes
Labor Cost ($12.00 per hour) $42.00 $2.00
Total Life Cycle Cost $209.51 $32.29
Calculations @ 12 hours use per day at $.13 p/kwh

Total Savings for switching 1 bulb to LED: $177.22!

 

The TCP LED chandelier bulb is available in with both candelabra and medium base, as well as Clear and Frosted versions as well as a Crystal Cut Clear and Frosted for a more decorative design. For more information on LED Lighitng or LED Light Bulbs, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

 

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

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What is Scotopically Rich Lighting?

28/07/10 0 COMMENTS

Often we talk to customers about Scotopically Rich Lighting, and for those who have never heard the term before it can be a little confusing. Manufacturers have performed studies for year on the photopic lumens that are produced by a light source such as a light bulb. The photopic lumens are a measurement of brightness by a lumen meter. This measurement can be translated by how light is percieved the cones in the human eye. These light meters completely ignore the effect of rod activated vision (scotopic). As a result, lighting practice accepted this single sensitivity function because it was erroneously assumed that the more light sensitive rods only functioned at very dim light levels.

How the eye perceives light

Human Eye Rods and ConesLight arrives at our eye from all portions of an illuminated space. At the back of the eye there is a light sensitive membrane called the retina which contains millions of very tiny light receptors. These receptors convert light into electrified signals that are sent to the vision centers of the brain. The retina contains two major categories of light receptors (photoreceptors) called the cones and rods because of their geometric shapes. The central part of the retina, the fovea, contains only cones. In the rest of the retina there are both rods and cones, with the number of rods dominating the cones by about 10 to 1.

Scientists have recently discovered that the rods in the human eye can perform in dim light levels as well as interior lighting levels of those commonly found in office environments and stores.  These rods are sensitive to light sources that emit bluish-white color tones like those found in higher kelvin temperature fluorescent light bulbs.   Vision specialists put both functions of the rods and the cones together to measure a complete value of light sensitivity know as a Scotopic/Photopic (S/P) Ratio. The S/P Ratio of most fluorescent and incandescent lamps is very low. For example, a Warm White Bulb has an S/P Ratio of 1:14 while a full spectrum 5000K lamp lamp such as an Ultra 50 or Skybrite has a ration of 2:47.  These number can be hard to understand, so lets look at it in a more simple light.

Human Eye Scotopic Lighting

Lamps that are in the yellow kelvin temperature range 2700-4200 use primarily the cones in the eye. The pupil becomes enlarged to allow more light to enter the eye, and therefore causing more muscles in the eye to work harder to provide visual clarity. Lamps in the 5000 Kelvin range allow the rods to work better, which in turn constricts the pupil and allows for easier visual clarity which is a scotopic response. In otherwords, thwo light sources can have the same photopic lumens, but the lamps with higher scotopic values will apear to the eye  as being percieved brighter. This scotopic response reduces visual fatigue, increase reading ability and reduces “disability glare”, especially in the electronic office.

Scotopically Rich Lighting Redues Fatigue and Glare

Disability glare is defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society as “glare resulting in reduced visual performance and visibility.” It is often accompanied by discomfort. Disability glare occurs as a result of “light scatter” in the eye. Light scatter is caused by imperfections in the optical media of the eye (the cornea & lens). These imperfections are common to some degree in everyone, and become more severe with age. The imperfections in the optical media cause a scattering of light rays coming from the non task area, causing undesirable light to fall on the central part of the retina (the fovea) where the task is focused. This causes a background haze of useless light on the central retina (the fovea) and reduces retinal contrast. Because the fovea contains only cones, just the photopic content of the ambient or general light is responsible for disability glare. Because people of age suffer from other conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts, one must understand that the visible spectrum of light becomes diminished.  In the case of a retail store or office, a customer may only see 60% of the visible light produced, therefore the increase of both photopic and scotopic light levels can be increasingly important to reduce glare and visual fatigue thus increasing productivity and sales.

Benfits of Scotopically Rich Lighting

 

For more information on Scotopically Rich Lighting, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

 

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

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San Marco Plaza | Induction Parking Lot Lighting | LWR

24/07/10 0 COMMENTS

San Marcos Plaza LightingSan Marco Plaza located in Lakewood Ranch Florida was constructed just over 3 years ago. This charming plaza designed around a tall welcoming clock tower in the center of the shopping area is home to several new businesses including shopping, dining, salons, banking and events. However due to its erection in the middle of a hard economy and Real Estate crunch, the businesses in this center have had more than their fair share of burdens in maintaining the beauty of the center. The center itself is illuminated with a large selection of modern lighting fixtures from Hubbell Lighting. Not only is the center architecturally stunning in it design, but the lighting itself is amazing. The fixture selection is comprised of beautiful, ornate acorn style post tops and wall mounted fixtures. Unfortunately because of timing, the lighting selected for this construction project was performed just before major industry changes in Energy Savings and Green Energy Initiatives.

The massive amount of decorative lighting at San Marco Plaza requires a tremendous amount of maintenance compared to other shopping centers. With over 350 outdoor lighting fixtures, on 2 levels of building space, and 67 Parking Lot Lighting Poles, one can only imagine how often light bulbs have to be changed. By June 2010, nearly three years after original construction, nearly all of the 67 Parking Lot Lighting Fixtures had burnt out lamps and was in need of some serious repairs and maintenance. That is when the Board of Directors consulted with Synergy Lighting of Bradenton, Florida to find some alternatives.

The Parking Lot Lighting System

Induction Parking Lot Lighting Service San Marco Plaza was designed with 67 Acorn Style Post Tops mounted on 25 foot fiberglass poles. These single and double headed poles were originally Metal Halide. Standard metal halide was banned from production in 2009 and replaced with Pulse Start Metal Halide which has some great benefits as to warm up time and product life. However the cost operation of Standard Metal Halide or Pulse Start Metal Halide remain high. Synergy Lighting recommended a Retrofit of the existing lighting system to Induction Lighting. Induction Lighting provides the same scotopic levels of light as metal halide while reducing energy waste by over 50%. Unlike the Metal Halide which needed complete replacement within 3 years, the Induction Lighting selected and supplied to San Marco Plaza by Synergy Lighting offers 20 Year Maintenance Free Operation and Resulted in an energy savings for the plaza in excess of $290.00. The light levels of 250 watt Metal Halide in this instance was more than necessary, so the system was reduced to the 85 Watt Induction System with use of Retrofit Kits designed by Synergy Lighting.

Induction Lighting to Metal Halide Comparison

Comparison Per Fixture 85W Induction System 250W Metal Halide System
Average cost per fixture $700.00 $439.00
Hours used per year 4750 4750
Hour life of bulb 100,000 20,000
Energy cost per year (.13 pkw) $52.48 $30.33
1 year Energy Cost $52.00 $182.35
Product Life 20 Years 3 Years
Product Warranty 10 Years 1 Year
Labor Cost every three years None 65.00
10 Year Life Cycle Cost $524.68 $2195.50

The final result for San Marco Plaza is a maintenance free Parking Lot Lighting system that will pay for itself in less than 24 months and yields a 432% return on investment within 5 years. Labor and Maintenance costs have been reduced by thousands of dollars and lift fees over the next 20 years. The light levels of the induction lighting provide above adequate foot candles throughout the shopping centers 5 acres of parking space. The retrofit kits designed by Synergy Lighting come with a complete 10 year warranty against premature failure or defect.

For more information on Induction Lighting, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

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