Lighting

Energy Optimization Retro-Fit Lighting Solutions

 

Productivity   Maintenance 

 

 

 Efficiency       Cost to Operate

 

  Lighting represents 40% of the average commercial building’s electric bill, followed by motors/HVAC (40%) and other equipment (20%), per U.S. Department of Energy
  Only 20% of existing commercial buildings feature some degree of upgraded lighting technology, while 80% continue to operate lighting systems installed before 1986
  Lighting is generally considered the easiest, most profitable investment in energy-saving building systems
  The Commercial Building Tax Deduction (CBTD) establishes a tax deduction for expenses incurred by a building owner or tenant, to improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings
 CBTD applies to Partial Systems or All Systems upgrades for: Interior Lighting, HVAC/Hot Water and Building Envelop features

Buildings Covered

- These buildings may include, but are not limited to: automotive facilities, convention centers, court houses, bars, cafeterias, fast food restaurants, family restaurants, dormitories, exercise centers, gyms, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, hotels and motels, libraries, manufacturing facilities and warehouses, workshops, motion picture theaters, multifamily buildings, museums, offices, parking garages, penitentiaries, performing arts theaters, police/fire stations, post offices, retail establishments, schools and universities, sports arenas, town halls and transportation facilities.

Not Included

- Single-family house, multifamily building with three or fewer stories above grade, or a manufactured house (mobile or modular home), and religious buildings

Before & After

 Eureka Welding in Madison Heights Before  Eureka Welding in Madison Heights Before

Eureka Welding in Madison Heights, MI            

Kwang Jin in Madison Heights Before  Kwang Jin in Madison Heights After

 Kwang Jin in Madison Heights, MI

 Our Lady of Lakes Waterford Before  Our Lady of Lakes Waterford Before

Our Lady of the Lakes in Waterford, MI

T12 Fluorescent Lamps to Be Phased out by 2012

by Mike Breslin
Published: December 2010

 Are you still installing T12 fluorescent lamps? If so, time is running out on the opportunity for your customers to take advantage of rebates and tax incentives for upgrading to more energy-efficient alternatives.

The National Lighting Bureau has estimated that more than 500 million T12 lamps are still in use. However, recent regulations by the Department of Energy have initiated a plan to phase out traditional T12 lamps and ballasts by July 2012.

T12s were originally designed to respond to demand for more energy-efficient fluorescent lamps back in the 1970s during the energy crisis. Unfortunately, for a number of technical reasons, T12s have proved to have shorter lamp life, poor color and low lighting output.

Despite continued use, T12s are widely known as inefficient, dead technology that is easily replaced by T8 or T5 fluorescents, which are more energy-efficient, longer lasting and have better quality light. “With available rebates and tax incentives, plus the monthly energy cost savings that occur when retrofitting to energy-efficient T8s or T5s, the upgrade virtually pays for itself within a year,” said Sean Neman, director of operations at ReGreen Inc., an energy conservation company. “People need to act fast to cash in on the available rebates and incentives while they are still available. With recent regulations virtually eliminating traditional T12s by 2012, these incentives will not be available for long.”

 The simplest retrofit for T12 lamp and magnetic ballast is a T8 lamp and electronic ballast. This switch-out can save 30 to 40 percent on energy costs. In qualifying areas, rebates from utilities can subsidize the cost for upgrades anywhere from 60 to 100 percent. Additionally, using the Commercial Building Tax Deduction, owners and managers can receive tax benefits up to 60 cents per square foot.

 

 

“Eliminate Your Electric Bill...Ask Us How Today!”

 

Call Oak Electric 800-964-7070