Just like the light bulb more than 120 years ago, small LED components are now revolutionizing our previous image of modern and efficient lighting. While energy-saving lamps were still considered the measure of all things four years ago, they have been overtaken by LEDs in recent years. Disadvantages such as delayed switch-on times, unpleasant light colors or flickering do not exist with LED luminaires and lamps, and at the same time colors are displayed more vividly.
Economical lighting with LEDs
In the commercial sector, there are regulations for each area of application regarding the minimum luminous intensity in lumens. In new buildings, computer-aided light simulations help to calculate in advance how bright it will be later in the individual areas under real conditions. Good manufacturers offer this service. The resulting costs for lighting design and simulation are usually charged after an order is placed.
The cost of economical Gym Lighting with LEDs has almost halved in the past three to four years, the high prevalence is driving the price down further, and the increased efficiency is ensuring ever shorter payback periods.
In the fitness sector in particular, payback periods can now often be expected to be less than a year. This is favored by long opening hours and continuous operation even on weekends.
Grants still available until April 2015
LED light sources, also called retrofit solutions, are no longer subsidized since the beginning of 2015. However, until April it is still possible for small and medium-sized companies to apply for a grant of up to 20% to convert to modern LED lights. Up to 6,000 euros are possible, which corresponds to an investment of 30,000 euros. More information can be found at www.bafa.de. Qualified LED manufacturers will be happy to assist their customers with questions regarding the application.
High electricity savings
In the meantime, almost any illuminant or luminaire can be converted or replaced with LED. Especially halogen-based illuminants or incandescent bulbs can be converted without any problems. Here you can save up to 90% electricity.
The replacement of fluorescent tubes is advisable, because up to 65% electricity savings can be realized. However, a specialist should be consulted. Only luminaires with a so-called starter can be replaced by laymen. Luminaires with an electronic ballast may only be modified by an approved master electrician. However, the costs for such a conversion are kept within limits. The additional expense for rewiring usually pays for itself after two to three additional months.
Pay attention to quality!
The competition and the widespread distribution of LEDs in the trade unfortunately lead to the fact that especially in the unqualified area trade also inferior goods are offered, which can fail already after a short time and are then not worth their initially favorable price.
Increasingly, DIY stores and discounters are also advertising low-priced LED tubes. Caution is advised here. Often these do not have the necessary brightness and a poorer system efficiency of only 75 - 85 lumens / watt. Good LED tubes should have at least 90 to 130 lumens/watt. Inexpensive LED tubes are usually made of plastic, which can flex over time and lead to premature failure. Also, the three-year manufacturer's warranty advertised on the packaging is often omitted. If you look more closely, this only applies to residential use, which is usually only 2.75 hours per day on average, or just 1000 hours per year.
LEDs do not generate any heat towards the front, which is due to the lack of infrared in the light spectrum. But they do generate about 80% waste heat to the rear. The service life of the LED chips depends to a large extent on the rapid dissipation of the heat generated. Therefore, good LED products use high-quality heat sinks, usually made of complex aluminum alloys. Another criterion for the longevity of LED products is the use of a good ballast also called LED driver. Voltage fluctuations, switching frequency and ambient temperature also affect the life cycle.
When it comes to the LEDs installed, you should make sure that they are from reputable manufacturers. It is also important that the manufacturer is properly registered for the disposal of its products and has a license agreement for the use of patented LED technologies. Otherwise, there could potentially be costly liability claims against the professional user or seller.
For professional use in the gym, the choice should fall on reputable quality products with long warranties and high-quality references. Stay away from consumer products from discount stores, hardware stores or Asian suppliers from the Internet. After all, in a professional gym you don't use any training equipment from the home.
Conclusion
Especially in areas where lights are subject to long operating times, it is worth considering converting the lighting to LED in the short term. Prospective customers often shy away from high investment costs and do not know how to finance them additionally. For financing, low-interest loans, e.g. from the kfw bank, can be taken out or, alternatively, lease-purchase can be considered. The capital invested is amortized within a few months and the electricity costs saved can be used immediately to repay the installments. One should only inform the energy supplier about the measures, so that he reduces the advance payment of the electricity rates accordingly early.
Image source: #329608457 Oleksandr / stock.adobe.com
Published on: 9 March 2015