What is a Retrofit?
Main Entry: ret·ro·fit
Pronunciation: \’re-trô-’fit, ‘re-trô-’fit\
Function: transitive verb
1 : to furnish (as a computer, airplane, or building) with new or modified parts or equipment not available or considered necessary at the time of manufacture
2 : to install (new or modified parts or equipment) in something previously manufactured or constructed
3 : to adapt to a new purpose or need
4 : to save a lot of money on energy costs!
5 : to update your current lighting system
Innovation and continuous improvement in the field of lighting have given rise to tremendous
energy-saving opportunities. Lighting is an area in which there is enormous energy-efficient potential, starting at the design stage by incorporating modern energy-efficient lamps and luminaries. Following responsible operational practices also can significantly reduce associated energy costs.
Lighting is not only a very high priority when considering facility retrofitting, but also is a high-return,
low-risk investment. By installing new lighting technologies such as dimmers, photo sensors, occupancy sensors, and timers, facilities can reduce the amount of electricity consumed and energy costs associated with lighting.
There are several types of energy efficient lighting and affordable lighting technology:
compact fluorescents lights, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and lighting controls.
Below are a few examples of energy-saving opportunities with efficient lighting!
• Installation of energy-efficient fluorescent lamps in place of conventional fluorescent lamps for example converting to T8 or T5 lamps from T12 lamps.
• Installation of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in place of incandescent lamps.
• Installation of high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps for applications where color rendering is not critical. Metal halide lamps should also be considered when correct color is important.
• Installation of LED exit signs to replace incandescents.
• Installation of high frequency (HF) electronic ballasts in place of conventional ballasts.
• Installation of occupancy sensors, an inexpensive way to ensure that unused lights do not remain on.
• Installation of microprocessor-based controllers.
• Installation of photocells, devices that automatically detect the natural light level in a room and adjust the intensity of the artificial light accordingly.
• Replacing incandescent wall lights and exit sign lighting with CFL or LED-lit units will not only save a considerable amount of energy, it also will significantly reduce labor costs associated with changing light bulbs, since CFLs and LEDs last much longer than incandescent bulbs.
• If the HVAC system is being upgraded or replaced, the lighting system, too, should be reviewed and the loads attributed to lighting recalculated. When the air conditioning system is optimized, the air conditioning loads will be calculated based on existing lighting systems. If a facility plans to upgrade the lighting, it is best to do so at the time of the HVAC retrofit since the lighting and HVAC systems have a large effect on each other.
Contact Frontier Lighting today for a free energy analysis
to see how retrofitting can save you money!