Gordon Electric Supply demonstrated ways to save energy at the Energy Efficiency Trade Show recently sponsored by Kankakee Community College.
Dan Korthauer, representing Gordon, displayed many products that the homeowner and small business can use to reduce energy consumption. “The simplest solution,” said Korthauer, “is to change out incandescent bulbs for fluorescent. Now there are dimmable, screw-in type bulbs at a reasonable price that solve a problem for many homeowners who wish to switch to fluorescents. They must just be sure to install a compatible dimmer.”
Another easy solution is to add vacancy or occupancy sensors according to Korthauer. Vacancy sensors are popular in attics, basements, storage areas, bathrooms, and bedrooms where occupants often forget to turn off the lights. Vacancy sensors require the user to manually turn the light on, but the light will turn off after a preset period of time when the space is unoccupied. Commercial spaces, such as restrooms, should use occupancy sensors which will also turn on automatically so that a customer does not need to fumble in the dark for the location of an unfamiliar switch.
“Occupancy and vacancy sensors have come a long way,” Korthauer stated. “If the proper device is installed for the specific application, the user should not experience a problem with a light turning off when the occupant is still in the room.” Korthauer advises the purchaser to seek professional help in selecting the correct product for the application.
A more recent energy-saving option that is gaining popularity is the LED light bulb. Korthauer explained that the cost is coming down and the quality of the white light is improving. These lights use a fraction of the energy and last for 50,000 hours which is especially helpful where it is difficult to replace the bulbs. He cautions that there is a great deal of variability in quality. It is important to purchase trusted brands, especially if the color of the light must be consistent from fixture to fixture.
On the commercial front, Korthauer talked about hi-bay fluorescents which are gaining popularity as an alternative to metal halide fixtures in warehouses, manufacturing spaces and retail areas such as high-ceiling grocery stores. These fixtures provide a bright light with much higher color rendering while consuming substantially less energy. “With better color rendering, products look more appealing,” Korthauer stated. “Also errors decrease in the warehouse and manufacturing space when light is more uniform and colors are more vivid.” Korthauer mentioned that Gordon recently relighted its own warehouse, which was received enthusiastically by the staff.
