LED's: a lighting retrofit solution

The opportunity in the LED retrofit market is enormous, and the missteps made in rushing other energy-efficient lighting to market (e.g., the compact fluorescent lamp) are less likely to slow market growth this time around. Experts say the science behind solid-state lighting, its quick return on investment, and ease of retrofit installation will result in a win for manufacturers, contractors, end-users and, ultimately, the environment.


The Department of Energy (DOE) predicts that LEDs will become the dominant light source in the United States by 2025. Rather than a market share based on dollars, the DOE calculates market share based on lumen hours, or demand for light over time. By that measure, the DOE predicts LEDs will have 59 percent of market share in a little more than a decade. That’s a tall order, but should it happen, U.S. lighting energy consumption will be sliced by nearly one-half, according to the DOE.

The DOE’s study didn’t focus on LED lighting retrofit per se, but it is clear that a great deal of the low-hanging fruit lies in the replacement of fluorescent lamps in commercial and institutional settings. Regulations have eliminated a majority of magnetic T12 lamp ballasts as well as the majority of linear T12 lamps. But according to the DOE, at last count, more than 500 million T12 lamps were in operation, including approximately 400 million 4-foot lamps. Obviously, there are other fluorescent options ahead of the LED as replacements for those T12s—namely the T8 and T5—but LED manufacturers are slowly applying this technology to a range of traditional lighting sources.


“The growth market for replacement of ceiling troffers is humongous. There are 2 billion sockets waiting to be filled in commercial settings, including office buildings, universities and hospitals,” said John Casadonte, marketing manager for lighting at Cree Inc., a company that manufactures lighting products and semiconductors for power and radio frequency (RF) applications.


Forget the T12 fluorescent. Casadonte said LEDs should leapfrog newer products like the T8. 


“Some universities are just now considering replacing T12s with T8s. It’s up to us to convince them that the newer technology is in their best interest,” he said.


While the LED market, as a percentage of the installed base is still quite small, companies that manufacture retrofit LED systems are making big bets on the future of the LED. Rob Freitag is vice president of marketing at EYE Lighting International, a company that has traditionally focused on metal halide, high-pressure sodium, and mercury lamps for outdoor applications (including parking lots, loading docks, and sporting facilities) as well as for large interiors (such as warehouses or big-box retail stores). 


There are tens of millions of lamps ripe for replacement by LEDs, Freitag said, adding that, “The LED is our greatest opportunity for growth in the coming years. They will become the majority of our lamp sales over the next decade.” 


Adapted from an article at http://www.ecmag.com.

Lighting Retrofits = Innovative Payoffs

Advances in lighting technology have produced a variety of new retrofitting methods and components that are transforming existing high-volume facilities and transportation infrastructure.

By their very nature, retrofits are designed to enhance performance and provide significant energy savings. Yet some of the most beneficial features of today's lighting upgrades may lie in updated circuitry designed to meet modern power demands for illumination that provides safer, more secure environments for occupants.

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Over the years, the combination of growing lighting consumption and aging structures has allowed retrofitting to become the driving force behind utility efficiency efforts, with the emphasis on commercial facilities.

Offices, retail and warehouses are the largest consumers of energy in the United States, and lighting accounts for more than 40 percent of the commercial sector's overall electricity consumption according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy in Washington, D.C.

 With increased electricity costs and the growing interest in energy conservation, facility managers have turned to new lighting technologies to provide high-quality, energy-efficient lighting options for multiple applications. These products include occupancy sensors, dimmers with automatic shutoff controls, ceramic metal halides, inductive lamp systems, one-lamp linear fluorescent fixtures, high-intensity T5HO fluoresces and super T8 lamp systems.

For instance, lighting manufacturers estimate a new electronic T8 lamp and ballast system burns approximately 30 to 50 percent less energy, operates cooler and reduces maintenance costs. In addition, it can generate up to 20 percent more light with improved color rendering. A typical payback on the newer technology is one to three years based on annual operating hours and kilowatt-per-hour cost.


Adapted from an article at Electrical Contractor: http://www.ecmag.com

Quality Electrical Services: Rogue Valley

We know that you need fast, high quality residential electrical repairs installations in Medford.

Our team of courteous, experienced electricians will work with you to answer your questions and make sure your project gets done on time and on budget while respecting you and your home. Give us a call today at 541-245-8560 or fill out the short form by clicking here. We look forward to talking with you.

We also provide a full range of commercial electrical services on an as needed or contract basis. New construction, wiring, remodeling, lighting upgrades, new circuits, generator installation, street lighting, warehouse lighting, and so much more. With two decades of experience, you can rely on our master craftsmanship and standard of excellence. Ask about the Bad Ass ceiling fan project and the Dyson Airblade project.

Favorite Electrician In Southern Oregon: Five Reasons

1. Up-front Pricing!
Never pay more than you expect! No hidden fees... No surprises for residential electrical services or commercial electrical services. We show you the total price up-front, before we start the work!

2. Same Day Service!
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Energy efficiency: learn how to save money and receive rebates

Manage energy use in your existing space or design efficiently with technical assistance and cash incentives from Energy Trust of Oregon.

Whether you’re a commercial business owner, design or construction professional, or multifamily property manager, you can find opportunities for energy savings.

Energy Trust has technical assistance and cash incentives for businesses to make energy-saving upgrades.

At Aztec Electrical in Medford we are a Trade Ally Contractor, qualified to help you reduce energy use and lower operating costs. Let us show you how - click here to send us an email.

Lighting Retrofit Project: energy incentives received

Lighting Retrofit Project: we converted all the lighting inside the ice rink from 400 watt metal halide, to new LED lighting.  This business earned a rebate and ROI is less than two years.


Aztec Electrical is a full service electrical contractor, serving Jackson County and Josephine County, that provides residential services and commercial services. We are a certified electrical contractor with the Energy Trust of Oregon.

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Energy Review: home or business

Most homes can be made more energy efficient—it's all about knowing where to begin and determining what fits within your budget. Energy Trust provides cash incentives to help complete your improvement projects. Options to evaluate your home and find ways to save energy and money include:

We can help you complete your cash incentive applications because we are a Trade Ally Contractor.

That certification means we are the front line of offering energy-efficiency and renewable energy services and products to help you use energy wisely.

Energy Trust encourages you to refer to the Trade Ally Contractor network of licensed and insured independent contractors because we are up-to-date on the latest standards, quality control requirements and incentives for energy systems.

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