"We looked at several systems that would save
lighting costs, but they all reduced light levels. UEA showed us how
to cut lighting cost in half and improve light quality."
Description:Athree story medical facility occupying 53,000 square feet in downtown Winter Haven, Florida, the Bond Clinic is a full-service clinic with all the specialties represented. Examinations, operations and laboratory work goes on six days a week. The Clinic uses its lights about 70 hours per week. Lighting is supplied, in large part, by (371) 2x4 lay-in fixtures. These are standard 4 lamp, 2 ballast fixtures with watt draws of 192 Watts (four 40W lamps plus two 16W ballasts).Retrofit Goals:There were three goals. The administration recognized the inherent |
inefficiency of the 4 lamp fixtures as well as the volume and dollar
value of wasted watts. They sought maximum watt reduction. The doctors
and nurses were concerned with the relatively poor quality of the
existent fluorescent lamps, and they sought improved light quality
and composition to improve accuracy and performance of all their medical
tasks. Finally, everyone in the clinic expressed a desire to make
an environmentally positive contribution...which is really an automatic
occurrence with reduced watt draw.
Constraints:The goal of increasing light quality represents a constraint on maximizing watt reduction as did the doctors' and administrator's insistence that measurable light levels be maintained or increased, but not lowered. Other constraints were basically budgetary as the administration had a financial ceiling on the project and maintenance personnel wished to make use of the existing ballasts inventory.Solutions:The four 40W lamps were removed and properly re-cycled. One ballast was disconnected and tied off. Sockets were re-centered where appropriate and CAD specified Alcoa Everbrite reflectors |
were mounted.
Two Panasonic T-10 lamps were inserted in each fixture. The fixture
housing was cleaned as part of the installation.
Results:Watt draws were reduced from 192 watts per fixture to 96 (a 50% reduction). Light levels were uniformly increased and the quality of the light dramatically improved.Explanation:The Panasonic lamp chosen for this project produces considerably more light than standard fluorescents. The reflector greatly increases the fixture's efficiency (i.e., its ability to get the light out of the fixture and down to the work space). The combination of these factors explains the increased light levels. Standard lamps rate a 60 on the Color Rendering Index and Cool-White color temperature is 4100 Kelvin. The Panasonic T-10 develops an 85 CRI and a color temperature of 5000K. This particular combination optimizes human visibility and perceived brightness, which explains the dramatic quality increase. Watt draw of the fixture was reduced 50% because the electrical components were reduced by half. A fixture which formerly utilized 4 lamps and 2 ballasts now utilizes 2 lamps and a single ballast, yet brings more and |
better quality light into the work place.
Financial Facts:The conversion turn-key cost was $21,567 or $58.13 per fixture. The projected savings for the Clinic in operating costs were $19,000 per year, which produced a " payback period " of 14 months. However, actual savings were closer to $22,000 making the actual payback period less than a year. Maintenance savings are also very significant. There are now half as many lamps to maintain in the system, and the new lamps are rated to last twice as long. There now exists a spare ballast inventory. When a working ballast malfunctions, the spare is waiting, which avoids considerable out of pocket expense for the near future. Lamps are warranted for 3 years and the reflectors for 25 years, the longest warranties in the marketplace.Environmental:This project eliminates the burning of 138,717 lb. of coal or 314 barrels of oil, thereby avoiding the emission of 370,777 lb. of carbon dioxide and 4,797 lb. of sulfur dioxide.Contact: Mr. Bill Brigman Adminstrator Winter Haven, Florida (813) 293-1191 |