Light control manufacturer Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., is proud to introduce the new Stairwell Retrofit Solution that automatically adjusts light output based on stairwell occupancy.

The new Stairwell Retrofit Solution utilizes a lighting fixture with a Lutron digital dimming ballast preprogrammed to occupied and unoccupied light levels specific to a project’s code requirements. The fixture receives a signal from Radio Powr Savr™ occupancy sensors via reliable Lutron Clear Connect™ RF technology. The solution’s design features separate fixture and sensor components which allow for the flexibility to determine occupancy sensor quantities, mounting configuration, and placement requirements based on the stairwell design.

Through high-end trim and occupancy sensing, the stairwell retrofit solution provides the opportunity to save over 80% of lighting energy usage. Added benefits include simple installation, flexible grouping of fixtures and sensors, and the opportunity to meet codes and standards (ASHRAE 90.1 2010 and IgCC).

Component features of the new stairwell retrofit solution 

Stairwell retrofit fixture

• 4 ft., 3ft. or 2ft. fixture; 1 or 2 lamps; lamp options – T8 , T5-HE and T5-HO (LED lamp option coming soon)
• 120-277 V~ universal input voltage
• Ceiling or wall surface mount
• Optional emergency ballast battery backup available

Radio Powr Savr occupancy sensor

• Ceiling, wall, hall and corner-mount configurations available
• Customize timeout to 1, 5, 15 or 30 minutes
• Exclusive Lutron XCT technology – enhanced passive infrared (PIR) sensing
• Control up to 10 fixtures with one sensor
• 10 year battery life

The stairwell retrofit solution saves energy and is cost-effective. The wireless communication between devices allows for easy installation with no additional wiring required, all while permitting the occupancy sensor(s) to be mounted in the location that provides the maximum area of coverage. (source: www.lutron.com)

For a free energy audit in the Kansas City area contact Oliver Energy Solutions. We can design a lighting plan that maximizes the energy efficiency of any building type, which will maximize your ROI and shorten your payback period.

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The Conservationist

Recognizing the need for a lighting retrofit may be different for the conservationist than it would be for the economist. The conservationist may be more concerned with the age of technology that is found in their facility. Outdated types of lighting can contain hazardous materials within the lamps and every time a lamp burns out you must recycle them to avoid these materials leaking back into our environment. Older technology is prone to having an exorbitant amount of these materials in order to make the lamps work. Plus they usually will have a poor lamp life thus meaning more maintenance is required to safely handle the materials.

The Economist

The economist may be more interested in the rising costs of energy. To read more on how fast our energy costs have raised read Utility Rates on the Rise Again. It is no secret that when the costs of utilities go up, so does the cost of operating a lighting system. Or the economist may want to keep up on what the Department of Energy is saying about different lighting types. The DOE just released a new list of lamp types that are going to be banned starting next year. If you have any lamps in your facility that have been banned by the DOE, it is safe to say that these types of lamps are energy hogs and you are paying too much to light your facility. To read more on the specifics of the DOE list click here.

Lets talk about how to spot inefficiencies and pinpoint the areas of energy waste in a facility. Lets first talk about lamp types, if some of these terms sound foreign don’t worry we’ll talk about spotting inefficiencies by building type next. The lamp that is most commonly known as an energy hog is the incandescent lamp. They are found everywhere, in can lights, track lighting, and desktop task lighting. The second most common energy hog is the T12 fluorescent lamp. You can find these in most 8’ strip lights and in 2X2 and 2X4 recessed lights. The third lamp type would be any HID lamp, Metal Halide or High Pressure Sodium lamps. These lamps actually are very energy efficient, however they suffer from rapid lumen depreciation, which will significantly reduce the light levels of the lamp and decrease the overall efficiency of the lamp too. These types of lamps can be found in large open areas or most lights located outside of a facility.

Odds are if you own or manage a retail storefront, restaurant, office building, manufacturing plant, parking garage, or a warehouse your facility will be a good candidate for a lighting retrofit.

Are you a conservationist or an economist?

How do you spot inefficiencies with in your organization?

Do you need help recognizing the need for a lighting retrofit? Click here.

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It’s no secret that the lighting for a typical office building consumes 40% of its electric bill. So most of us would think the low hanging fruit can be found within the lighting, and that’s true. Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can find out what the low hanging fruit is for your given lighting situation. A quick Google search shows us that if you replace all of the T12 lamps with T8 lamps in an office building, you can achieve energy savings of up to 50% or more. But what if you are managing the assets of several office buildings and you already tackled the T12 issue, what’s next? What if I told you to reevaluate your T8 lighting? What if I told you that replacing your T8 lighting with T8 lighting could save an additional 40% on your energy consumption, would you think that I was crazy? It even gets better, what if I told you that you don’t even need to replace your existing light fixtures and 99% of office buildings are great candidates for this lighting retrofit. Would you call that low hanging fruit, I would?

I would be glad to share some of these concepts with you in more detail, however every building is different. If you wish to discuss these concepts in detail or would like more information on how to tackle your low hanging fruit, feel free to contact me directly.

Junior Thomason, CEA

Energy Solutions Manager

Oliver Energy Solutions

jthomason@oliverelectric.com

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When I met with Gary to discuss my being a guest on his radio program, I immediately realized why they call him the King. As soon as I stepped into their production studio, Gary greeted me with a big smile on his face and he was wearing a huge pair of gold Elvis glasses. His jovial attitude toward his production crew, his wife, and myself made it really enjoyable to be a part of his radio program. He made the interview fun, not nerve racking.

Over the course of the next hour or so we discussed emerging trends in lighting concepts, design, and how to overcome some lighting challenges with simple design concepts for various real world applications. The radio program will air today, 3/4/11 at 12:30 p.m. (central) on KCXL Kansas City or stream it live at www.kcxl.com. In case you are reading this and you didn’t get a chance to hear it live, many of Gary’s radio programs are archived on iTunes.

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Located in Lawrence, KS.

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Oread Orthodontics in Lawrence, KS. was designed and built in cooperation with the Owner in order to achieve a unique and distinctive facility.

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Located in Lawrence, KS.

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Located in Lawrence, Ks.

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Douglas County Judicial Center has been in the process of upgrading the technology and media delivery systems within the County Courtrooms and Oliver Electric has been instrumental in furnishing timely and productive solutions for the unique requirements posed by the building and a secure facility.

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