send in a question of your own

1. LED lighting in retail stores and restaurants.

2. Energy-saving display lighting.

3. Parking lot lighting.

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1:  We use a lot of lights at our family-run business because we operate a good-sized gift shop and a restaurant. I've read in your columns about lights that save energy in stores and in restaurants, but you haven't talked about LED lighting. Is that because it doesn't save much energy?

-MW, Mad River Valley

A: Dan:

LEDs (light-emitting diodes) can be great energy savers! Quality LEDs use as much as 85% less energy than incandescent light bulbs. Also, the best LEDs can last as much as 50 times longer than incandescents, and that can reduce maintenance and replacement costs. The reason we haven't discussed LEDs in this column is that, this early in LEDs' availability, performance can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another. But the technology is developing rapidly and we're glad to provide info that will help you find top-quality LEDs that are already available in Vermont.

Paul:

Efficiency Vermont currently recommends specific, high-quality LEDs and offers a $30 rebate on recommended LEDs for recessed lights. More rebates for LEDs in other applications will be offered in 2009.

Dan:

In addition to recessed lighting, good-quality LEDs are available for retail spot-lighting, portable task/desk lights, under-cabinet lights, and outdoor uses. You've probably seen LEDs in many Vermont towns' traffic lights and Christmas lights. They're also illuminating the displays on many household items like stoves, microwaves ovens, TVs, and other home electronics.

Paul:

Prices are expected to drop in the next few years, but these days, a high-quality LED recessed light, before Efficiency Vermont rebate, can run anywhere from $100 to $250. A quality LED task light, such as for a desk lamp, can cost $150 or more. You can find high-quality LED lighting in most Vermont lighting showrooms. Availability in the next couple of years should increase dramatically.

Dan:

If you'd like help identifying quality LEDs and finding stores that sell them, give Efficiency Vermont a call toll-free at 888-921-5990. Thanks for a great question.

2:  In my furniture store, I've been upgrading my lighting to CFLs to reduce my electricity costs. That's working fine except for display lighting. My products just look better under halogen light than CFL light. Are there any low-energy lights that will provide quality product-display lighting?

- GF, Manchester, VT

A:

Dan:

Definitely. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are just one type of energy-efficient lighting. As you may have found, they provide excellent general light while using as much as 75% less energy and lasting up to 10-times longer than incandescent bulbs. Unfortunately, CFLs often aren't up to the task of delivering spot lighting for products or displays. I have two recommendations for energy-efficient options. A new version of halogen reflector lamps, called halogen infrared (IR), provides the quality illumination of old halogens while using as much as 27% less energy. Ceramic metal halide lighting is also a great option, saving up to 81% of the energy required for standard halogens. While some ceramic metal halide products can be screwed into existing tracks, most require new track heads. Note: ceramic metal halides are not dimmable.

Paul:

From a financial standpoint, lighting upgrades are a sound investment for a retail store. Lighting is a significant contributor to retail energy costs. To help offset the purchase price of new and improved lighting, Efficiency Vermont provides financial incentives for many energy-efficient technologies. You and your contractor can download an incentive form from the Business Rebate Center at www.efficiencyvermont.com. The form will show you a wide range of energy-saving lamps, fixtures and lighting controls eligible for incentives. If a particular technology is not listed on the rebate form, contact Efficiency Vermont to see about possible custom incentives.

Dan:

By upgrading your halogen display lights, you also can reduce your store's cooling costs. Standard halogens use only 10% of their energy to provide light. The rest is released as heat. This heat can increase your store's air conditioning needs. Infrared reflective halogens operate cooler. And, because efficient lighting lasts longer, it will cut maintenance and bulb-replacement costs. Standard halogens typically last 2,500 hours, newer infrared reflective halogens have a life of up to 5,000 hours and ceramic metal halides can last for as many as 10,000 hours.

Paul:

You can see why these technologies are cost-effective, from their longer life as well as their ongoing energy savings. Another financial benefit of efficient lighting has to do with sales. As you know, sales motivation can come from intangibles like how a customer feels in your store. Energy-efficient lighting not only can enhance the appeal of your products, through excellent color rendering and lighting quality, but also can create a comfortable, aesthetically-pleasing place where customers want to do repeat business.

Dan:

Overhead lighting also plays a key role in product display. If your overhead fluorescent tubes are standard T12s, you could be getting better quality lighting while paying up to 40% less in lighting-energy costs by upgrading to new High Performance T8s.

Paul:

As Dan and I interact with business owners around Vermont, we're hearing about an increase in customer interest in supporting 'green' companies. With efficient lighting, businesses can draw attention to their concern for the environment. This can increase loyalty from green-conscious customers while reducing a company's energy costs. So, congratulations on your lighting upgrades and all the benefits they'll bring to your business, your customers and Vermont.

3:  I need to improve the lighting for the parking lot of my restaurant, because my customers can't see well in some areas of the lot. What should I be considering to improve visibility without winding up with a huge electricity bill? I'd appreciate any information you've got on outdoor lights that use less energy.

- JW, Bennington

A:

Paul: It's great that you're thinking about both the effectiveness and energy use of your outdoor lights, because they're linked. You see, it's possible to get better coverage with less light when you understand that energy-saving lighting is about more than buying low-energy bulbs. Too often, businesses simply use energy-efficient lights without knowing that they've installed too many. Or they unnecessarily raise their electricity costs by lighting areas that don't need to be lit or during hours when lighting isn't needed. These common mistakes can cost you, no matter how little energy your lights demand. Luckily, you can avoid these pitfalls.

Dan: Absolutely. In the space we have in this column, we can give you an overview of elements to be aware of and some resources to consult for more detailed information. It's important to consider five factors: Your light source, fixtures, placement, amount of illumination, and controls. Let's start with the light source. Four types of energy-efficient lights are typical for outdoor use: High-pressure sodium, metal halide, fluorescent, and LED (light-emitting diode).

Paul: I wish we could simply tell you to pick the one that uses the least energy, but each kind of lighting has its optimal application. Obviously, a light source that doesn't work well for your needs is not a cost-effective purchase.

Dan: To be more specific: High-pressure sodium lighting has a long life but it sheds a yellow light, which may not be right for you if you prefer to have your building and grounds viewed in their true colors. Metal halide and fluorescent lights cast a white light and, when used appropriately, can have the same or greater energy efficiency as high-pressure sodium. And while LEDs have the potential to use the least energy, their performance quality varies widely at this early stage of their development. A lighting designer can help you determine which light source is right for you. To find a designer, go to the Marketplace section of Efficiency Vermont.

Paul: After finding the best light source, the next step is to pick your fixtures. The right fixture is one that directs light only where you need it, and in a way that limits glare for your customers. Next, see that lighting is placed at optimal height and in an effective layout on your property. Then, determine the amount of illumination you need in your parking lot. A lighting designer can give you this measurement and can help you with all of the above decisions.

Dan: As important to your energy costs as the lighting equipment itself is how you use it. This is where lighting controls come into the picture. Such controls as motion detectors, daylight sensors, and timers can mean significant savings, because they enable you to keep the lights on only when they're needed.

Paul: For a more detailed look at these key steps in an energy-saving outdoor lighting project, you can view a guide at Efficiency Vermont. In the Business lighting section of the website, pick the 'exterior' option and click on "Guidelines for Exterior Parking Area and Security Lighting" at the bottom of the page. At this website, you'll also find lighting-rebate information in the Business Rebate Center. To learn more about LEDs, pick the 'LED Lighting' option in the Business Lighting section.

Dan: By taking the time to consider all the elements of energy-saving lighting, you may be able to lower your up-front investment and reduce ongoing electricity costs by purchasing only the amount and type of equipment that specifically suits your needs. Best of luck with improving your parking lot lighting and your restaurant's bottom line.

Paul: In today's economy, putting money into improving your business's energy efficiency is one of the best investments you can make. The businesses that worked with Efficiency Vermont to make energy-saving investments in 2008 are expected to earn a 50% average rate of return over the lifetime of their new, efficient equipment. It's tough to imagine money growing that much in any other kind of investment these days. Another good reason to take energy-saving actions now is the simple fact that waiting is expensive. In other words, deciding to do nothing is like volunteering to pay higher energy costs than necessary, month after month.

Dan: Your lighting upgrade is a great example of a wise investment. If you were, for example, to replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), you'd reduce lighting-energy costs by as much as 75%. CFLs can also last as much as 10-times longer. For overhead tube lighting, High-Performance T8s use as much as 15% less energy than standard T8s and up to 40% less than T12s, and outlast either of them.

Paul: When sales are dropping or leveling, it makes solid financial sense to reduce operating costs, like utility bills, rather than pass rising costs on to customers. And, unlike many other actions designed to increase revenue, such as expanding business hours or services, efficiency improvements need not come with ongoing expenses, such as increased payroll.

Dan: In addition to energy savings, efficiency upgrades carry other benefits that can have a positive impact on your bottom line. Quality efficient lighting and/or HVAC systems can reduce maintenance and replacement costs. Upgrades can improve comfort for customers, who may want to shop in your store longer and return more often. A more pleasant, comfortable environment also can improve staff morale and productivity while literally putting products in a better light. And it's increasingly common to find customers attracted to businesses that show a commitment to the environment by reducing energy use.

Paul: If you're finding it tough to come up with the capital for facility upgrades, learn about financing arrangements. You'll see approaches, such as loans and equipment leasing, designed to pay for energy-saving upgrades with little upfront investment from you, while providing you with more cash on hand. Vermont businesses taking advantage of such arrangements can keep a positive cash flow by obtaining energy savings that meet or exceed financing payments.

Dan: Also throughout this website, you'll see information about Efficiency Vermont rebates for specified energy-efficient equipment purchases. Visit the Business Rebate Center for rebate forms and lists of eligible products. Additional rebates may be available for custom projects, so contact Efficiency Vermont if you don't see certain equipment listed.

Paul: Best of luck with your lighting project and thanks for a question that's bound to help many Vermont business owners.