Bright idea for energy efficiency
1 min read
Dimmable LED lighting can cut factory lighting costs by up to a third if combined with digital programming and motion sensors. That's the claim by Harvard Engineering, designer and manufacturer of LED drivers and controls, which is walking the walk by installing its own products throughout its Wakefield, West Yorks facility, which includes a factory, warehouse and R&D centre.
Lighting is one of the greatest consumers of energy, using 20% of all the electricity generated each year. Many businesses with factories and warehouses have little natural light and rely on high-level lighting, so are seeking solutions to reduce carbon emissions and save on electricity bills.
Harvard has installed LED lighting together with DALI dimmable LED drivers throughout the facility. Harvard's DALI drivers are part of the company's CoolLED range of products.
The DALI drivers provide dimming capabilities across a range of output currents, so allow Harvard to create different levels of lighting by smoothly dimming LEDs at specific times. The drivers also allow Harvard Engineering to use digital programming to set different lighting levels at set times in any area of the facility.
With digital programming, it means that office lighting, when daylight enters the building, could operate at a lower level while lighting in the factory or in the R&D centre can be brighter to aid workers.
Harvard's lighting is also motion activated, which means that the drivers turn off completely should a room or aisle be empty, ensuring no energy is wasted. Harvard says that the combination of low-energy fittings with motion detectors could save up to 30% in electricity consumption.
Harvard's Michael McDonnell says: "By installing dimmable drivers throughout our facility we are not only reducing our electricity bills, but reducing our carbon footprint as well. Many companies are feeling the pressure to reduce their carbon emissions so installing energy-efficient lighting can be a step in the right direction. It is also extremely beneficial that the brightness of the lights can be suited to the work taking place in the room."
