Lighting audit

[soapy]

I had my local electric utility do a lighting audit on some of my locations. They have programs that will replace metal halide lights for more efficient CFLs. They pay 60% of the total cost of the new lights and labor. They also replace all T12 bulbs to the better T8s. In my SS bays I use 2 250 watt MH and one 400 watt MH. We have decided to replace the MH bulbs in each bay with 5 42 watt CFL wall paks. They have 2 SS bays done with the CFLs and 2 that are still MH. From the street at night you can not tell which is which. Inside the bay my guess is that you have about 90% as much usable light with the CFLs while only using 1/5th the energy. The energy savings per year is enough to light 3 homes a year per location. Projected energy savings for me is about $158 per month. I will update as work progresses on the upgrade installs.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Very cool. What kind of steps did you have to take to get the process started. I'm extremely interested in this and would like to do it at my wash also.

 

[washme1]

We have (or had?) a similar plan in Iowa that I took advantage of. I replaced my MH lights with T5s and am very pleased. The bays are much brighter, the lens don't discolor, I save $ on electric and the utility company wrote me a nice check (don't remember the exact %)

 

[soapy]

Check with your electrical utility and see what programs are offered. Today they are putting up some nice looking LED lights above the vac islands. These are the first ones they have put up under the program. The utility also offered 100% financing at 0 % interest over a 5 year period in place of the 60% payoff for the upgrade. The 5 year payoff plan still saved over $50 per month after paying the monthly payment with the electric savings. I have one location that will be going through a BPA program which I understand is only about a 35% contribution.

 

[lighthousecarwash]

I replaced all my MH bay lights with 8' flourescent fixtures. The local electric company has all kinds of advertisments about programs to help business owners upgrade their lighting. However, when I called they only wanted business' with indoor lighting that used the lights during the day. They considered mine outdoor lighting and since they are on during OFF-Peak hours, I was exempt. Makes no sense to me. I replaced them anyway, but can't understand why they wouldn't try to get as many customer's upgraded as possible.

Thanks,
Lighthouse.

 

[MEP001]

They considered mine outdoor lighting and since they are on during OFF-Peak hours, I was exempt. Makes no sense to me. I replaced them anyway, but can't understand why they wouldn't try to get as many customer's upgraded as possible.

It makes perfect sense to me. Their program is designed to reduce load during peak hours.

 

[sparkey]

I wonder how the fluorescents will perform in cold weather. I looked into putting fluorescents in at one time but as I recall they got very inefficient in cold weather and lost a lot of their light. I live in a cold climate where it can get below zero in the winter months.

 

[soapy]

I also live in a cold weather area. The CFL are designed to start at temps to 20 below zero. The LEDS are unaffected by cold.

 

[MEP001]

Some fluorescents are not good for cold climates, especially open fixtures. A fluorescent in a completely enclosed fixture will usually keep itself warm enough to make the light it's supposed to.

 

[soapy]

I just found another positive incentive. The Energy Policy Act (Epact) has been extended and it offers up to a .60cent per square foot tax advantage for costs associated with updating to new lighting. Your CPA should have the details but it looks like it could ended up being a totally free upgrade in addition to the monthly savings.