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High Savings with High Bay Solutions
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| This warehouse will save $70,000 over the next five years with Universal Lighting's high bay solutions. |
Converting from T12 magnetic ballast systems to T8 electronic systems has been a popular part of an energy savings strategy for years. With recent developments in lumen technologies, a similar energy savings opportunity is now available for HID lighting. Warehouses, gymnasiums, and even some retail installations are illuminated with HID sources such as Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium. However, HID is plagued with problems like long start times, noise, and color shift variations. Should the power blink, HID is off for 15 to 20 minutes. The heyday of HID has passed. Higher efficiency fixtures with instant on/off capability and quieter operation are now available.
Out of a sea of many options, there are two that make the most sense. Fixtures incorporating T5HO or high lumen T8 fluorescent lamp technology are the most appropriate choice if the space is temperature controlled. Fixtures using electronic HID (e-HID) lamps make the most sense when there are wide temperature changes. This is because the lumen output of fluorescent lamps drops off when it gets overly cold or hot. However, “amalgam” T5HO lamps have recently been introduced to improve their ability to operate over a much wider temperature range.
Assume you install a T5HO fixture as replacement for a 400W MH HID fixture. That HID fixture was using 458W. The equivalent 4-lamp IS T5HO fixture, which delivers 91% of the light, is only using 226W for a savings of 232W—a 51% savings! Not only are you giving your customer a huge energy savings, the quality and color of the light easily makes up for the 9% reduction in measured lumens. This new fixture is also deftly quiet, has instant on/off, and is even dimmable, if specified. Should there be the need for extra light for spaces that were originally under lit, then a 6-lamp T5HO fixture can be used. This gives 19% more light and still saves 119W. That’s a 26% reduction in power with 19% more light!
Just like in the days of T8, when using T5HO and occupancy sensors as part of your energy saving strategy, specify Programmed Rapid Start (PRS) type electronic ballasts like the AccuStart5®. If occupancy sensors are not part of the plan, then use the high efficiency Instant Start (IS) technology products like the ULTim5® and ULTim8® ballast families for the additional energy savings. Luminaire manufacturers have the ability to install both types of these products within their fixtures.
If a space is unconditioned, electronic HID ballast could be installed in the fixture. Universal’s eTensity™ product line is an example. For that same 400W MH, pairing the Universal 320W PSMH ballast with a 320W PSMH lamp gives your customer a 113W savings with 5% more light. The eTensity™ product line is also available with SuperDim technology that allows the systems to be connected to photocells for daylight harvesting or to occupancy sensors for bi-level switching.
In areas of the country where rebates are offered, such as California, Texas, and the Northeast, HID replacement moneys are available. Many utilities are offering up to $75 per T5HO fixture and additional money if controlled by occupancy sensors. Consult the utilities in your area of sale for information on current and upcoming rebate offers.
For a time, HID lighting was the best choice for high bay applications such as gymnasiums and warehouses, but that moment has past. Better technology is available for dramatic energy savings, which makes retrofitting opportunities an easy sell. Electronic T8 and T5HO fluorescent and electronic HID systems provide benefits that will quickly pay for themselves.
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