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Travis Blankespoor
December 4, 2006, Feedstuffs
Would you believe that new applications for an old product could save you thousands of dollars on electric utility bills? Fluorescent lighting is staging a comeback, and advances in its technology could make fluorescents a viable, cost- saving option for a facility.
Before now, high-bay lighting (mounted 25 ft. or higher from the floor) has most often been achieved using HID fixtures such as high-pressure sodium or metal halide.
Today, Lithonia, Columbia Lighting, Cooper Lighting and other fixture manufacturers are beginning to offer a high-bay fluorescent fixture.
| Using fluorescent lighting in facilities is a viable option. Cost savings from using fluorescents can be significant. Electrical load of fluorescent fixtures much lower than HID counterparts. |
Advantages & Disadvantages
Its benefits include better efficiency and color distinction, less shadow and glare, consistent light output, instant on, instant re-strike and a more uniform lighting pattern.
Possible disadvantages to the high-bay fluorescent option may be a limited selection of fixtures, multiple lamps that could increase maintenance and shorter lamp life. Also, for retrofits, a one-to-one replacement that will yield the same light levels may not be available.
So, with that information in hand, will the benefits of fluorescent fixtures initiate a change in a facility? Much depends on the application of this technology. Some of the best uses for fluorescents may be in places where high-bay HID fixtures already exist or when planning a lighting scheme for a new project. In installation and initial cost, fluorescent fixtures are comparable to their HID counterparts, and the same mounting procedures used for HID fixtures can be used with fluorescent fixtures.
Not Created Equal
However, the applications are not created equally. The electrical load presented by fluorescent fixtures is significantly less than that of HID fixtures. This means the installer can use smaller panels for lighting and have more fixtures on a single circuit.
Also, fewer conduits will go back to the panel, and fewer wires will be needed. In addition, since fluorescent fixtures maintain their light output better, they will continue to look good over a longer period of time.
Many whitepapers have been written about the subject and go into detail about the benefits and drawbacks of using fluorescent fixtures instead of HID for high- bay applications. One well-written paper on the subject can be found at Lighting Controls Association. It reports on facilities that have retrofitted their lighting system—which included HID fixtures to fluorescent fixtures. Most of the facilities profiled are controlled, non-hazardous environments (such as warehouses).
Making the Switch
As always, deciding whether or not to make the switch usually comes down to the dollar investment.
The owner will experience some significant cost savings from using a more efficient fluorescent fixture.
In a lighting retrofit, a payback could be realized in only two years — a significantly short timeframe.
Also, several utility companies now offer rebate and incentive programs for facilities using efficient fluorescent fixtures.
Travis Blankespoor is an electrical engineer for the Interstates Companies of Sioux Center, Iowa.
© 2006 Feedstuffs. Reprinted with permission from Vol. 78, No. 50, December 4, 2006.
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