Lighting Retrofit: hospital secures 66% energy savings

In 2014, NorthBay VacaValley Hospital became one of the first U.S. health care facilities to install an energy-efficient, ultra-smart outdoor LED lighting system. The award-winning project was so successful that the NorthBay Healthcare group is now considering expanding the VacaValley system and retrofitting the outdoor lighting at other sites.

Prior to installing the networked LED system, NorthBay VacaValley Hospital’s  exterior lighting consisted of 40 induction luminaires, 13 high-pressure sodium  (HPS) luminaires, and 7 metal halide luminaires, all operating at full lighting power  throughout the night.

A total of 57 luminaires were installed with dimmable LED technology for the  lighting demonstration. Motion sensors were installed to provide maximum  coverage of the site, ensuring lights operate at sufficient levels when occupants  are detected and use less energy when areas are vacant. An “ultra-smart” lighting  control network was also put in place, giving facility managers the ability to adjust  lighting schedules, light levels and time-out settings, monitor the system’s  energy use, and receive automated alerts when luminaires require maintenance.

UC Davis’s California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) customized the lighting  components to integrate them into a single, fully functional system and worked  with hospital personnel to ensure system settings meet the site’s lighting needs.  The retrofit reduced the site’s exterior lighting energy use by 66.4%, dramatically reduced lighting maintenance needs, and received positive reviews from about 88% of end-users surveyed for feedback.

Call Aztec Electrical today at (541) 245-8560 to learn how our services can assist your project with new lighting technology. We can assist you with understanding the available rebates and incentives to improve your ROI.

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New lighting technologies

In 2007, Congress passed the bi-partisan Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), which included higher efficiency standards for light bulbs.

The goal was to take advantage of new lighting technologies to decrease consumer bills while increasing energy security and resilience. New lighting technologies, such as LED and compact fluorescent light bulbs, last longer and use less energy than the traditional incandescent bulbs that previously dominated the market.

Several new lighting technologies—including halogen incandescent, compact fluorescent and LED lighting—currently provide energy savings of up to 75 percent compared to traditional incandescent lighting bulbs.

Traditional Incandescent Lighting

Traditional bulbs produce light by using electric current to heat a wire filament until it starts to glow—90 percent of the energy used by the bulb is lost as heat, making them very inefficient.

Energy- Saving Incandescent Lighting

Energy-saving incandescent bulbs increase bulb efficiency by using halogen gas in the bulb. By law, these new bulbs must use at least 27 percent less energy and will last up to three times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)

CFLs are simply compact versions of the fluorescent lighting commonly founding household garages and commercial warehouses. CFLs use less electricity to produce light than traditional incandescent lighting, resulting in a 75 percent total energy savings. CFLS can also last up to ten times longer than traditional light bulbs, lowering replacement costs.

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

LEDs are a type of solid-state lighting that use semiconductors to convert electricity into light. Though LEDs have traditionally been used for traffic lights and car-indicator lights, this highly efficient technology has recently been adapted for use in a variety of other technologies.The most efficient LEDs use only 20–25 percent of the energy of traditional light bulbs and can last more than 20 years. Though this technology is not yet available for every lighting need, LEDs are rapidly evolving and are expected to represent 25-35 percent of the lighting market by 2025. Currently, they can be used to replace 40W, 60W and 75W traditional incandescent bulbs, reflector bulbs often used in recessed fixtures and small track lights, including holiday lights.They are also becoming more popular as industrial lighting.  Because LED lights last so much longer than traditional lighting options, they reduce not only the cost and waste associated with traditional bulbs, but can eliminate the labor costs associated with replacing traditional bulbs in difficult to reach areas, such as public streetlights, traffic signals and commercial overhead lighting.

Call Aztec Electrical today at (541) 245-8560 to learn how our services can assist your project and to discover how rebates and incentives can improve your ROI.

Adapted from material at the National Conference of State Legislatures web site.

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Lighting Retrofit Is Benefitting Schools

In many instances, schools will benefit from technological advances or energy savings that create “opportunity costs.” Schools that installed systems with T-12 fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts during the 1950s and ‘60s have found the systems are not only inefficient but costly to operate. The trend is to replace these systems with the more efficient T-8 lamps and electronic ballasts.

Many schools are removing the aged fluorescent systems installed in classrooms and offices and replacing them with more technologically advanced systems. Often the motivation for a retrofit is reduced operating and energy costs. However, schools are also reaping the benefits of higher quality illumination.

At Northwood Middle School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for example, retrofitting an existing fluorescent system boosted light levels to 50 foot candles in classrooms. Replacing an aging fluorescent system in the library of Holy Spirit Catholic School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, increased horizontal footcandle levels by 34 percent. Vertical foot candles were also increased by more than 25 percent.

In the library at Holy Spirit Catholic School, 15 4-foot fluorescent fixtures with three T-8 lamps and electronic ballasts replaced 12 8-foot units with two T-12 lamps and magnetic ballasts. According to Phil Onstott, owner of ProElectric, Tuscaloosa, who led the lighting project, the new system increased light levels and reduced energy and maintenance costs.

The existing system with the T-12 lamps required 1.92 kilowatts, compared to 1.3 kilowatts for the new system. Lamp life for the T-8 lamps is 20,000 hours, compared to 12,000 hours for the T-12 lamps. With the original system, ballast temperature was 180 degrees. Now, it is 85 degrees.

“The previous system generated a lot of heat on the ceiling, which escalated air conditioning costs. Much less cooling is needed now, which saves the school money,” Onstott described.

Call Aztec Electrical today at (541) 245-8560 to learn how our services can assist your project and to discover how rebates and incentives can improve your ROI.

Adapted from material at http://www.holophane.com/education/tech_docs/jr2.asp

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Lighting Maintenance - often overlooked, but it's a money saver

For a business, perhaps the most overlooked item in budgeting or forecasting energy expenses is outside lighting.

Today in the Rogue Valley area, there are many businesses with outdated lighting technology in place. By upgrading that to LED lighting, you will save energy, and most important, save on your energy bill. In some cases we can help you receive a cash incentive or rebate for your lighting maintenance project.

Call Aztec Electrical today at (541) 245-8560 to learn more.

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Lighting, Interior Or Exterior, Installation & Maintenance

We install and maintain parking lot lighting and signage for your business.

Aztec Electrical is one of the Rogue Valley’s leading electrical service companies providing broad geographic coverage with comprehensive service throughout Jackson County and Josephine County in the Southern Oregon area. We provide commercial, residential, institutional and industrial electrical services — from lighting to connectivity to security. Every electrician is fully trained to provide you with prompt and professional service.

•     Lighting Design - A crucial part of any home building, remodeling, or industrial project.
•     Exterior Lighting Design - If you need outdoor designed lighting, security lights, parking lots, or walk way running lights, look no further then Aztec Electrical.
•     Building remodels - Let Aztec Electric make sure that your next remodeling goes off without a hitch, with our residential electrical wiring and design services.

Call Aztec Electrical today at (541) 245-8560 to learn more.

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We install commerical fire alarm systems

At Celena's Grill In Medford we also installed a brand-new Ansul fire system. This system is ideally suited for commercial kitchens in fast food chains, retail food courts, diners, convenience stores, catering facilities, mobile food trucks, hotels and casinos, stadiums, schools, hospitals, and more.

Overlapping Appliance Protection is one of the two design options available with the R-102 Restaurant Fire Suppression System. The design is flexible and simple. Nozzles are installed in a straight line with a maximum nozzle spacing of 25.5 in. (647 mm) and a height of 40-45 in. (1016-1143 mm) above the cooking surface. The nozzles are not aimed individually at specific appliances but instead are aimed at the hazard zone centerlines. These overlapping discharge patterns create a continuous zone of protection in which all appliances within this area are protected.

The R-102 system discharges ANSULEX Liquid Fire Suppressant, which quickly knocks down flames and cools hot surfaces, while generating a tough vapor securing blanket that helps prevent reflash. It's designed to protect areas associated with ventilating equipment, including hoods, ducts, plenums, and filters. It also protects auxiliary grease extraction equipment and cooking equipment such as various types of fryers, griddles, range tops, broilers, char-broilers, and woks.

Call Aztec Electrical today at (541) 245-8560 to learn more.

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Electrical remodel: local family restaurant reopens

Aztec Electric is a full service electrical contractor, in Southern Oregon,  that performs a wide range of electrical services including electrical maintenance, industrial communications, and emergency electrical services.

At Celenas Grill we recently completed a full electrical remodel.

This local family owned restaurant, a valley favorite, just reopened after we completed our electrical work.

Some of our work included, converting all the signs, parking lot lights, and all inside lights to energy efficient LED.

Celenas Grill received a Energy Trust of Oregon rebate for all the LED lighting we installed, which helped reduce costs, ease cash flow, and make this project affordable. We are a Trade Ally with the Energy Trust of Oregon and can help your business receive benefits from them. Call us today at (541) 245-8560 to learn more.

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Professional Electricians In Medford

Aztec Electrical is one of the Rogue Valley’s leading electrical service companies providing broad geographic coverage with comprehensive service throughout Jackson County and Josephine County in the Southern Oregon area. We provide commercial, residential, institutional and industrial electrical services — from lighting to connectivity to security. Every electrician is fully trained to provide you with prompt and professional service.

Electrical & Lighting Services

• Lighting Design - A crucial part of any home building, remodeling, or industrial project.
• Exterior Lighting Design - If you need outdoor designed lighting, security lights, parking lots, or walk way running lights, look no further then Aztec Electrical.
• Building remodels - Let Aztec Electric make sure that your next remodeling goes off without a hitch, with our residential electrical wiring and design services.

Call our office today to learn more about our services at (541) 245-8560. 

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Lighting & Fixture Maintenance Benefits To Your Bottom Line

Nowadays, the decision to relight or remodel a property is no longer one of just aesthetics. With the EPAct and other tax credits and deductions available, and taking into account the reduction of energy costs over time, the potential savings are substantial. The question now is how much money do you want to save? And how do you want to save it?

What Are the Economic Benefits of Lighting Maintenance?

EPAct - The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides for a federal tax deduction of $0.60 per square foot for putting in energy-efficient lighting and the associated controls. Have a certification completed and the benefits are a simple line item adjustment to your tax return. A 200,000-square foot warehouse will generate $120,000 in tax deductions when properly renovated.

Utility Rebated - In the same way you get a rebate for buying a new energy-efficient refrigerator, you are also entitled to rebates from the utility for installing energy-efficient lighting.

 Energy Savings - Simply put, a new lighting system can reduce your power usage by 50 percent. With energy costs scheduled to double in some areas over the next five years, you can see how important these savings can be.

Tax Savings - After a renovation is completed, some of the assets may be considered personal property by the IRS. These assets qualify for bonus depreciation.

Abandonment - When a property undergoes renovation, such as adding new lighting or a new HVAC system, the old systems are abandoned for accounting purposes. This means that the net book value of the asset is written off as a loss (i.e., taken as a tax deduction). This deduction can provide significant economic benefit to the property owner.

At Aztec Electric we stay current with teh rebates and incentives you can apply to your energy projects, including lighting maintenance. Give us a call today at 541 245 8560.

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