Lighting Changes, calculate your savings, and fun LED holiday video

Incandescent light bulbs had a good run, but with the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 now fully active, you’ll  notice it’s impossible to find traditional incandescent light bulbs in stores. 

Here at Aztec Electrical, we will get your home or business lighting optimized on any new installation or remodeling projects you are considering. Ask us how to receive rebates and incentives from the Energy Trust of Oregon.

In a nutshell, EISA has taken a three year approach to converting the United States to energy-efficient lights by prohibiting the manufacturing or importing of non-compliant incandescent light bulbs after 2014.

• January 2012 – 100-watt bulbs banned
• January 2013 – 75-watt bulbs banned
• January 2014 –60- and 40-watt bulbs banned

How much will you save when switching your household to energy-efficient bulbs?

We’ll need to begin with the amount of light bulbs in a home. According to a recent survey, the average American household uses 47 light bulbs.

Now, these bulbs might have varying wattages from 100 watts down to 25, but for the sake of easy math and comparisons, let’s assume that we are using all 60 watt bulbs.

Total Light Wattage = 47 bulbs X 60 watts = 2,820 watts

Now let’s take a look at the wattage if all 47 lights are ...
CFL bulbs .... 658 watts
LED bulbs ... 447 watts

As you can see, there is quite a difference in the wattage between energy efficient bulbs and incandescent bulbs. 

Cost Savings

The average cost of electricity in the United States is currently 11.88 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) (for a more accurate cost, you can check your last billing statement for your cost per kWh), meaning if you used 1,000 watts of electricity for an hour, it costs you 11.41 cents.

For fun, here is a holiday video boosting 65K LED lights.

Lighting Retrofit - Boston University

Over the past few months the University has been upgrading outdoor lights on buildings across campus and replacing the old metal halide bulbs with more energy efficient light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. LED bulbs use less power (watts) relative to the amount of light generated (lumens) and also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by saving energy. Two-hundred A19 (typical screw-in base) LED bulbs can save enough energy per year compared to a 60W incandescent to power an entire home in the United States all year. These A19 LED bulbs can last up to 25,000 hours while metal halide bulbs usually last about 2,500 hours. The custodial staff is using the freed up labor to expedite this upgrade effort to other sections of the campus.

In addition, all new buildings on campus are being outfitted with energy efficient lighting. The use of LED lighting in the new Center for Student Services helped to reduce lighting energy consumption by 53% over a typical building of the same type. Recently the lights in the alley adjacent to the Center for Student Services were upgraded as well with fixtures that are 44% more efficient than the existing lights.  LED A19 bulbs are also being installed in boiler rooms and mechanical spaces with high ceilings, replacing the CFL lamps installed within the last two years to save even more energy.

Since the bulbs last much longer than before there is also a significant reduction in maintenance and cost as they don’t need to be replaced as often meaning in-house staff can be used more efficiently. The project has resulted synergy between environmental awareness and operational efficiency. As a result, the routine bulb replacement has drastically decreased which allows for custodial staff to provide better services in other areas. The routine building lamp replacement labor savings have also allowed custodial staff to maintain higher cleaning standards.

Aztec Electrical is a leader in Rogue Valley for optimizing #lightingdesign in both the home and work environments. Call us today, 541-245-8560, to learn more about our services. As a trade ally with the Oregon Energy Trust we can help you receive rebates and incentives on your lighting projects - ask us how.

Lighting Upgrades, Repair and Installation

Aztec Electrical is equipped to manage all of your commercial building electrical requirements at every level—from multi-million dollar new-build projects to minor electrical installations and repairs.  At the commercial level, our goal is to create an electrical system that insures safety and energy efficiency. 

In addition to providing general repair of exterior lighting, Aztec Electrical will evaluate your existing system, determine whether repair or replacement makes sense, and then design a lighting solution that is compatible with your existing facility electrical system.  These span all the modern technologies including LED lighting, compact fluorescent, HID systems, lighting retrofit, lamp upgrades, along with other developing technologies.

Aztec Electrical can turn a basic diagram of your construction site into a workable system, approved by the municipality and economically designed to provide for enhanced energy savings and quality electrical systems.

Aztec Electrical is a trade ally with the Energy Trust Of Oregon.  We’re qualified to:

• Install and certify lighting retrofit solutions approved by the Energy Trust Of Oregon
• Incentive Programs: assist you secure rebate incentives on your behalf from Energy Trust Of Oregon
• Improve lighting aesthetics and workplace and environmental quality

Light Maintenance: building, retrofits, parking lot

Aztec Electrical is equipped to manage all of your commercial building electrical requirements at every level—from multi-million dollar new-build projects to minor electrical installations and repairs.  At the commercial level, our goal is to create an electrical system that insures safety and energy efficiency. 

In addition to providing general repair of exterior lighting, Aztec Electrical will evaluate your existing system, determine whether repair or replacement makes sense, and then design a lighting solution that is compatible with your existing facility electrical system.  These span all the modern technologies including LED lighting, compact fluorescent, HID systems, lighting retrofit, lamp upgrades, along with other developing technologies.

Aztec Electrical can turn a basic diagram of your construction site into a workable system, approved by the municipality and economically designed to provide for enhanced energy savings and quality electrical systems.

Aztec Electrical is a trade ally with the Energy Trust Of Oregon.  We’re qualified to:

• Install and certify lighting retrofit solutions approved by the Energy Trust Of Oregon
• Incentive Programs: assist you secure rebate incentives on your behalf from Energy Trust Of Oregon
• Improve lighting aesthetics and workplace and environmental quality

Lighting Research: More Schools Switching To LED Lighting

Orion Energy Systems, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance, energy-efficient retrofit lighting platforms, announced several school districts nationwide have selected their lighting solutions to reduce their maintenance costs and energy use while improving the quality of light in the classroom. Recent installations include Chula Vista School District in California, Webster Groves School District in Missouri, and the School District of Spencer in Wisconsin.

The Orion LED Troffer Retrofit suite, granted a patent earlier this year, has become a favorite in educational facilities due to the attractive design, optimized light delivery, maintenance-free performance, and under two-minute install, which provides faster overall project completion and minimizes the disruption of class activities.

The Orion Apollo LED Recessed Troffer, known as the Jetson, is an ideal upgrade for schools and other public sector facilities seeking to replace energy-consuming fluorescent troffer fixtures with high efficiency LED light sources. The Jetson is designed specifically to maximize rebate and incentive potential.

Recently a comprehensive retrofit project at the School District of Spencer, which included upgrading all of the school’s 1200 legacy T8 fluorescent troffers to the Jetson in less than five days with no disruption to class or work schedules. Spencer’s use of the Jetson also made the school eligible for higher rebates, compared to competitive retrofit products, from Focus on Energy, the Wisconsin investor-owned utilities’ statewide energy efficiency program, due to the Jetson’s patented design and UL Luminaire status.

“We were spending way too much maintaining the existing lights and needed to find a better cost alternative. The reduction in maintenance is huge for us as well as the projected energy savings. Now the maintenance crew can focus on higher-need projects in the schools. We anticipate saving 50 percent on our lighting energy usage, which is a big deal,” said Michael Enderas, Superintendent of the School District of Spencer. “We did not expect the new LED lights to get installed that quickly and we couldn’t be happier. It was painless for us, and the new fixtures look so much better. Our staff and students went home and came back to classrooms with a more alert and clean atmosphere that is more conducive to learning. Everyone was excited by the dramatic change.”

Aztec Electrical is a certified trade ally with the Energy Trust of Oregon. Give us a call, 245-8560, to discuss your home or business lighting application and how a LED retrofit will help you save money and reduce energy usage. Your project may also qualify for rebates or cash incentives using the Energy Trust.

Electrician: Reduced Energy and Maintenance Costs

Because Aztec Electrical is a certified Trade Ally, we are qualified to assist you with doing the right actions to receive cash incentives and/or rebates with the Energy Trust of Oregon.  

With lighting accounting for more than 25 percent of the energy used in most buildings, improving the lighting technology at your home or business can make a big difference to your monthly energy bill.

According to the Energy Savings Cost Council, energy-efficient lighting upgrades represent the highest return on investment of any single-technology project, with an average ROI of 45 percent. These upgrades pay for themselves in as little as 2.2 years and the payback continues over the lifetime of the system through reduced energy and maintenance costs.

Call us at 245-8560 today to learn specifics about your project.

Aztec Electrical is committed to meeting all our customers' electric needs with the highest quality products and services. We specialize in residential and commercial electrical services, and we are dedicated to setting the standard for quality and service in Medford electrical work.

Comprehensive Electrical Service Contractor In Medford

Headquartered in Medford, Oregon, Aztec Electrical has been providing electrical contracting services to commercial and industrial clients for years. Our highly-trained staff delivers a wide range of commercial electrical services. We work on large and small electrical projects; from brand new installs to retrofitting. We specialize in power upgrades and service work that includes HVAC wiring, dedicated circuits for computers, machine appliance wiring, tenant improvements, and trouble shooting. Our service area includes Medford, Ashland, Jacksonville, Grants Pass and the surrounding areas in Jackson County & Josephine County, Oregon.

Aztec Electrical is equipped to manage all of your commercial building electrical requirements at every level; from multi-million dollar new-build projects to minor electrical installations and repairs. At each and every commercial level, our goal is to create a commercial electrical system that insures safety and energy efficiency, while at the same time equipping work spaces for maximum productivity today and as needs grow over time.

Call us today at 245-8560.