West Sussex Businesses Make Light Work of Saving Energy

West Sussex businesses are looking forward to combined energy cost savings of over £16,000 after installing LED lighting, with the support of grant funding from West Sussex County Council.

In the spotlight

Updating halogen spotlights and fluorescent tubes to LEDs has made a good impression at Swan Property Management in Crawley. Director Jonathon Davies said, “We have had lots of positive comments, especially from existing clients who immediately notice the difference. With the future energy savings it has been an extremely worthwhile project.”

The new lamps should help save 9,800 kWh of electricity per year, reducing the company’s carbon footprint by 5.3 tonnes.

The Holbrook Club in Horsham also replaced halogen spotlights with LEDs. With an existing mix of low-voltage and mains-voltage fittings, some rewiring was required as Manager Paul Felgate, explained, “In some cases we had to install new transformers to suit the LED bulbs, specifically in the gym, which kept on our site team nice and busy. In the main hall however, it did not take so long as the fittings were already compatible.”

“The lighting level is great and we are all very pleased with the results. Our Facilities Manager has been taking regular meter readings which I am looking forward to seeing!”

The club are expecting to save 15,400 kWh of electricity each year, reducing their energy bill by over £1,500. With the lights in use the majority of the day, the project has a payback period of around just 12 months.

LED panels

Bognor Regis based manufacturer H&B Sensors installed LED panels to replace four-tube fluorescent fittings. The 600 mm by 600 mm panels require half the energy, fit directly into standard suspended ceilings and provide a well distributed light output. Director James Homer said, “It has significantly improved the lighting in this room, on top of saving energy, we are really happy with the results.”

Often businesses find they are able to reduce the number of fittings required when installing LED panels, without compromising light levels. This was the case at Fine Cut Graphic Imaging Ltd  in Lancing, where they replaced 4 foot and 5 foot fluorescent tubes.

Environmental Manager Tim Weeks encourages other businesses to follow their lead, “If updating to LEDs, take the opportunity to assess whether light fittings are in the right place and light levels are correct for the area. Removing excessive tubes doubled the energy saving we would have achieved through just replacing lamps with like-for-like LED equivalents.”

Fine Cut Graphic Imaging’s project is expected to save over 14,000 kWh of electricity and £1,800 per year, presenting a payback period of just over 20 months.

13 businesses received a share of £20,000 and installed projects that will collectively reduce energy consumption by almost 140,000 kWh, carbon emissions by 72 tonnes and energy bills by over £16,000 each year.

The grant funding was provided by West Sussex County Council to help local businesses improve their profitability and reduce their carbon footprint. The grants were administered by the Sustainable Business Partnership CIC, a not-for-profit company, as part of the ERDF part-funded RE:Start Local project.

Contact the Sustainable Business Partnership CIC for details of current grant programmes open to businesses in the South East.