Lighting upgrades are one of the most fantastic changes that you can make to your space that make the most difference long term. Whether this upgrade or change is made in your residential, commercial and/or retail space, the payback is often fast. The benefits include saving money on utility bills, generating more sales in commercial spaces, improving productivity in work spaces, improved safety and health and having a better sense of well being when in the space.
Residential: Remove that old funky fluorescent boxed out light fixture in your kitchen with recessed canister lights! Typically 6” or 4” in size there is a variety of choices for trim and lamp options to customize your specific look.
Install undercabinet task lighting to really spruce up your kitchen and highlight your countertops. Whether Xenon or L.E.D., these accents really allow your space to glow and work even with dimmer switches.
Save energy by using occupancy sensors which replace your existing wall switches-great for houses with teens or people with an “on the go” lifestyle.
Commercial/Retail:
Replace and upgrade all those T-12 or T-8 strip fluorescent fixtures with the new T-5 and start saving money right off the bat. What type of ballast should I choose in the light fixtures? Choose instant start ballasts (no preheat or warming) for lighting that is turned on once or twice a day. This is ideal for open office areas, warehouses, hallways, and corridors. Choose program start ballasts for use with occupancy and day lighting sensors. These specialized ballasts are ideal for private offices, break rooms, conference rooms, bathrooms, or any place where lights will be turned off and on often.
When doing these upgrades, bear in mind that the lighting needs of today are different than what they used to be. We have a reduced lighting need in offices now because of computer screens. It is better to reduce the ambient lighting and provide independent task lighting for the individual worker to allow them to do their paper tasks thereby saving the company money and increasing productivity in each worker.
Better lighting in retail can substantially increase sales because after all who is going to buy their products if the store is dimly lit?
There are many factors to consider in a lighting remodel regarding lumens, ballast factor, application, usage and lifestyle so be sure to contact your Windward professional for a consultation on your specific project.
There are rebates available to assist you in these projects which vary from region to region. Rebates are offered by utility companies as it is much less expensive to offer a rebate than it is to upgrade the grid because of the ever increasing load that incandescent and inefficient lighting puts on the overall systems. Here are some great resources:
http://www.energysmartyes.com/
http://www.coloradoefficiencyguide.com/programs/platteriver.htm
http://www.xcelenergy.com/rebates
