LEDs throw new light on energy saving at Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand has halved the amount of energy required to light key areas of its Auckland engineering base following installation of a new LED lighting product, Ecofluro.

Ecofluro T8 LED tubes have been used to replace more than 2,100 fluorescent bulbs at the site, a move that has not only reduced Air New Zealand’s energy usage, but also lowered its running costs.

“Fluorescent bulbs, which are used by most New Zealand businesses, contribute to around 40% of the average office power bill so by replacing them with LED a business can literally halve this cost,” says Paul Stoddart of Business Lighting Solutions, which manufactures Ecofluro.

Business Lighting Solutions partnered with international energy management specialists Schneider Electric to deliver the project.

Scott Noyes of Schneider Electric says the LED lighting market is growing rapidly as environmentally conscious businesses, like Air New Zealand, search for more ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

“The projected energy savings and reductions in lamp replacement costs were a great fit for Air New Zealand’s strategy to become more sustainable,” says Noyes.

“We are assisting the business identify and implement energy efficiency measures and this project was a significant step forward in that process,” he says.

The project was partially funded by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

”Lighting is the largest area of electricity savings potential in New Zealand commercial buildings, and EECA is pleased to support projects that improve lighting efficiency, cost-effectively,” said Karen Chaney, EECA Programme Manager, Commercial.

Air New Zealand’s move to LED followed an extensive trial, in partnership with Business Lighting Solutions and Schneider Electric, which saw Ecofluro deliver power savings in excess of 50% per tube and receive highly positive feedback from staff working in areas where the tubes were installed.

Chris Wheatley, head of design for Business Lighting Solutions, says the company has worked hard to ensure the output, colour and quality of light produced by Ecofluro LEDs is at least as good as fluorescent alternatives.

It has also focused on ensuring the product can be easily retrofitted to existing light fixtures.

“Ecofluro has been in the market for three years now, and each year we’ve seen demand grow exponentially as businesses cotton on to the fact that LED tubes have double the lifespan of fluorescents,” says Wheatley.

“Of course, as is often the case with new technologies, end users require assurance that the product will perform in line with expectations, and Ecofluro has undergone extensive independent professional review and testing to ensure it meets all New Zealand safety and performance standards. We also supply a robust warranty to give total peace-of-mind - this is especially important given that the industry is largely unregulated,” he says.

For more information about LED lighting visit www.businesslightingsolutions.com.
For more information about EECA programmes see www.eecabusiness.govt.nz