Concern for energy bills is driving warehouse operators to replace their existing lighting, for like death and taxes long-term rises in energy costs seem inevitable. Moreover, in many warehouses lighting costs are typically between 60-70% of the total energy bill and can be as high as 95%, as with Maxim Logistics Group. But as with any warehouse investment much care is needed to assess the location and configure the lighting to the activity within.
Time was in a cheaper energy era when activity levels mattered little that there was little opportunity to adjust lighting because lighting technology had not developed to today’s sophistication. A good lighting designer today will identify when lighting is needed, for how long, and if there are any areas that need particular attention, such as pedestrian walkways and racking. The type of warehouse operation must also be considered. Cold stores, for example, pose extra problems for lighting.
As when buying forklifts, warehouse operators should realise that not all lighting suppliers offer the full gamut of product types on the market and so there is a risk that the most suitable lighting will not be provided. Buyers, therefore, are probably safer using an independent lighting consultant rather than a lighting manufacturer, unless the latter does offer all lighting types, but the consultant should be grilled carefully to ensure that he is familiar with all product types and have an impressive list of clients to his record, preferably blue chip.
Fortunately, good, independent, on-site assessment and advice can be given by the Carbon Trust and there may not even be a charge for this. This Trust is also a source of interest-free, unsecured loans for SMEs of up to £100,000 with repayments spread over 12-48 months, provided the investment is energy-saving. Other incentives for ‘green’ lighting include enhanced capital allowances scheme where 100% of the cost can be set against the first year’s profits for tax saving. Leasing also has tax advantages.
The payback periods for energy efficient lighting can vary from 1-3 years, depending partly on what type of lighting was previously used. Traditional sodium lighting, for example, or metal halide discharge fittings, typically consume 450-460 watts whereas low energy light fittings from Lutterworth Ecolighting may consume anywhere between 76w and 252w. Despite the low wattage, the lights produce a crisp, white light. The fittings have built-in sensors to detect motion and monitor ambient daylight levels so that they can switch off or reduce light to 10%.
Sometimes, it must be said, it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to assess a meaningful payback period. In a cold store, for example, it is important to consider the maintenance and possible safety costs, the latter, in particular, being incapable of precision costing. LED lights are about three times more costly than fluorescent lights (T5) and the cost is further complicated by light height. On the other hand, HPS and fluorescent lights generate much heat that can result in dangerous icicles that need to be removed regularly from the ceiling. It is impossible to predict an accurate figure for a serious accident. In ambient stores there may also be a need to offset the heat from non LED lights by investing in air conditioning.
New lighting, of course, involves an installation cost and it seems that there are businesses put off from buying because they fear disruption to day-to-day operations. Such fear is unwarranted because the installation process can be coordinated around the warehouse activity. The fear concentrating the minds of warehouse operators, however, should be the failure to meet the Energy Act 2011 requirements by 2018, and energy-efficient lighting helps to comply with that.
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