NSW Government shows how to cut energy use by 82%

The cost of powering lights, which is around 15 to 25% of the electricity bill for NSW businesses, can be cut by as much as 82%, according to the NSW Government.

A new report, The Energy Efficient Lighting Technology, from the NSW Government helps businesses to choose energy-efficient lighting options - and provides the tools needed to write the business case and tender for lighting.

The Four Seasons Hotel is saving $150,000, 945 megawatt hours of electricity and 1042 tonnes of carbon pollution per year through a major lighting upgrade and other energy efficiencies.

“More efficient, commercially proven technology is now available to replace the lights most often used by NSW businesses - fluorescent, halogen and high-bay lighting,” said Bernard Carlon, Acting Deputy Chief Executive, Environment and Heritage Policy and Programs at the Office of Environment and Heritage.

“For example, simply replacing a standard halogen light with an LED light can deliver up to 75% energy savings and pay for itself in only two years.

“Businesses will also save on maintenance and air-conditioning costs because LED lights last longer and produce less heat than halogen lights.

“This is a practical, detailed report that will help business owners, facilities mangers, procurement staff and engineers get to grips with the best lighting options for them and start saving energy and money sooner.”

The report lists the benefits and drawbacks of upgrading with different types of lights as well as the potential costs and energy savings of each option.

It steps through the technical specifications and lists questions to ask and criteria for choosing a supplier.

“Energy-efficient lighting upgrades can be done quite quickly, often pay for themselves in a short period and can be undertaken by most businesses.

“Easily seen by staff, customers and stakeholders, lighting upgrades can generate enthusiasm for further energy-efficiency efforts throughout the community,” Carlon said.

The report is produced by the Energy Saver program, which has run 370 energy audits in medium to large organisations across NSW. Those organisations now enjoy ongoing annual savings of 17,000 megawatt hours of electricity and 57,000 gigajoules of gas, reducing annual energy bills by an impressive $4.05 million.