Commercial Construction & Renovation

MAY-JUN 2016

Commercial Construction & Renovation helps our subscribers design, build and maintain better commercial facilities by delivering content to meet the information needs of today's high-level executives.

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THE LOWDOWN ON LED RETROFITS To determine whether your building would beneft from a lighting retroft, ask yourself these questions: • Do I want to reduce my building's lighting energy costs? • How old is my building's lighting technology? • Is any of my building's lighting about to be phased out due to code changes? • Am I spending more than I'd like on lamp maintenance and replacement costs? • Are there certain parts of my build- ing that are diffcult to service? • Are my lights in use for more than 12 hours per day? • Does my lighting system support our organization's sustainability initiatives? Types of lighting retrofts A common misconception is that an LED lighting retrofit automatically means that fixtures must be replaced. Lighting retrofits can be completed in three different, but simple ways, depending on your existing lamps and lighting system. The choice is yours. Now how do you decide? No. 1 – Direct Lamp Change-Outs LEDs don't require separate ballasts like fuorescent fxtures. Instead, they make use of internal drivers. Some lighting fxtures can be retroftted simply by changing out the bulbs (for example, swapping fuorescent tubes with LED tubes and removing the ballast and fuorescent lamp holders). Normally, the lowest-cost option in terms of labor and materials for both indoor and outdoor applications, direct lamp change-outs allow LEDs to go straight into traditional fluorescent tube troffers or HID fixtures. Many replacement applications now offer a plug-and-play option that installs directly into existing fixtures. With no need to remove the ballast fluorescent tube fixture – whether it's a quick-start, instant-start, pro- grammed-start or emergency fixture – simply replace the existing fluorescent tube with the right LED tube and you'll see the energy savings start rolling in right away. No. 2 – Retroft Kits Another upgrade option is an LED retroft kit, complete with LEDs and driver, which mounts directly into the existing luminaire housing. These retroft kits allow you to keep your original fxtures and convert them to energy-saving LED fxtures. For example, retroft kits can convert recessed fuorescent lighting fxtures (troffers) by reusing the top portion of the existing fxture. Depending on your existing lighting system, labor costs for retrofit kits may be higher if electricians have to perform additional wiring modifications or follow special component-removal processes. No. 3 – Replace Entire Fixtures Replacing the entire existing lighting fxture with a new LED fxture is another option, and also the most costly. Lighting system replacement may be your best option if the condition of sockets isn't good (obvious wear or major cracks) or poor lens/louver condition is apparent. Another factor to consider: If current lighting fxtures are com- pletely enclosed, fxture replacement may be the best option for your building. LEDs shouldn't be used in tightly enclosed fxtures unless they are approved for use in enclosed spaces. When heat can't dissi- pate from the lamp's heat sink, premature lamp failure may result. If above-the-ceiling access is restricted or not recommended in your facility, entire fxture replacement may not be an option. The DOE says that national energy costs could be decreased by 25 percent if LED technology reaches projected market penetration levels in the next 15 years. 126 COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — MAY : JUNE 2016

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