EBME Forums Forums Free discussion Free discussion Lighting

I am currently on a multi-disciplinary project team looking at reducing energy consumption by switching off lighting (Our estates manager thinks we can save 59K pa). Does anyone know of 'free' government stickers for light switches? ( or such like) or have any ideas about saving electrical energy?

In my experience, stickers, notices or whatever have only limited value or success. What makes the biggest difference is education and getting people 'on-board'.

It is interesting that someone has come up with a figure of £59k/yr. How?

He estimated 200Amps per phase times the KWH rate.
How did you get people on board?

There goes the workshop ghetto blaster then John.

LIII

The ghetto blaster stays - Thats why we need the 200amps

I agree with Techman. Sticker and notices do not work. There are way to many notices flying around all ready. You have to get the staff behind you. We have had open days in the atrium were all staff can see what is going on. Plus it's own web page on the Hospital Intranet to help educate staff.

You could try and contact them on: earth.care@wmuh-tr.nthames.nhs.uk

Our hospital estimated 5% energy is wasted. Light is good area to pick on. Most lighting is run from 8 till 5 five days a week. The only problem with removing or cutting down on lights, The area were you work looks dull and sick, which in turn your staff feels the same and stay at home earning money. Corridors also get lights removed, which make them dull and enclosed or just plain, spooky.

I read some were that the start up current on lighting circuits are very high and is more efficient to leave the light on if you are coming back to a room with in ten minutes.

One of the best areas to look at is kettles. Most kettles are 3000w and will use more power than any lights. I would not be brave enough to remove kettles as staff become very unfriendly towards you for even saying the words. Computers are left on over night.

A proper survey then, with a realistic appraisal of potential savings based upon usage rates over a period and identifying areas by individual and zonal metering.

One thing that I would be concerned about is that, having made the claim about being able to save this much, who/what will be sacrificed when it doesn't happen?

As for getting people on board, those of us who are not environmentally switched-on will need to be convinced of the benefits. In other words, what will you/they get out of it, or is it just another penny-pinching idea? Who gets your portion of the 59k and how will you know what it is?

Many schools are upgrading to PIR controlled lighting when they have a makeover. If no movement is detected in an area for 10 minutes the lights dim to half power. If there's still no movement for a further 10 minutes, they switch off.

Only seems to cause a problem when they're doing exams and the teacher has nodded off at the front !

Many council properties are adopting similar systems but they are just on or off, no fancy dimming circuits. There is a small "permanently on" set of lights distributed around the place.

If you had them adjusted right you could simulate that car advert where the street lights come on as the car passes then go out again ! It would make the Cardiac Arrest team look very impressive at night

Regarding my last posting, I don't wish to be too negative but all too often people latch upon an idea and then make generalised claims which, ultimately, cannot be achieved.

I consider myself to be an environmentalist, (and I have the papers to prove it) and so I applaud any serious schemes which are environmentally friendly. Saving money is a side issue (benefit).

I think kettles are a big waste of energy. Most people put enough water in the kettle for 4 to 5 drinks and then only take one out after it has boiled. The kettle is then left to cool down and so most of the energy used to boil the water goes to waste. Try putting only enough water in to cover the heating part of the element plus the amount required for your drink. Not only do you save energy but you get your drink much quicker.

Also, if you live in a hard water area use an element descaling device to improve the effficiency of the element