3 Reasons Why an LED Lighting Retrofit is Worth the Money

Businesses are always looking to cut costs wherever possible. One thing that presents money-saving opportunities is LED technology. Many companies that transition from old lighting technologies to LED save money and may even boost their revenue to some extent because proper lighting improves employee productivity. Let’s look at 3 main reasons why you should not delay embracing this energy saving technology:

1. Energy Savings

LED lights draw a fraction of the energy traditional light fixtures draw, resulting in up to 75% energy savings. Businesses that upgrade to LED technology can achieve a return on investment in 3-4 years; it all depends on how long the lights run each day. Plus, because LED lights last for many years, the savings can go on long after businesses have recouped their investment.

2. Long Lifespan

It is no secret that LEDs have a long lifespan. In fact, the shortest lifespan of LEDs is 50,000 hours, which is still much higher than that of traditional lighting systems. Some LEDs have a lifespan of 100,000 hours, which means they only need to be replaced once every 10 years or so.

3. Enhanced Productivity

Better lighting can improve a business' bottom line. A company's success depends on the productivity of its employees.

LED lighting retrofits produce light, which is similar to the light produced by the sun. When these lights are used in the workplace, employees feel more alert and energized.

In addition, LEDs do not irritate or cause eye strain because they don't buzz or flicker. This helps workers to stay focused and can boost their morale.

Icopower ESCO is an Energy Service Company that is experienced in offering an effective delivery mechanism to provide the maximum amount of energy efficiency resources, project financing, and technologies. It develops, implements, and arranges its own financing for projects that are specifically designed to improve the energy efficiency for facilities over a period of 3 to 5 years. The services provided by Icopower ESCO include solar PV, maintenance, installation, thermography, measurement and verification, power quality solutions, energy monitoring, energy savings contracts, and energy audits. You can learn more about our company and the services we offer at http://www.icopower-esco.com/. You can also get in touch with us by dropping us an email to fm@icopower.com!

How to Ensure Good Power Quality at All Times

Power quality includes three aspects: voltage, frequency, and waveform. When power quality is good, it exhibits a steady voltage supply, steady alternating current/AC frequency, and a smooth waveform of the voltage curve.

To check and ensure that the power quality is good at all times, invest in energy saving techniques such as power quality monitoring and power factor correction.

Disturbances and fluctuations in power supply are caused by a number of factors, such as:

• Load changes
• Atmospheric phenomena and other environmental conditions
• Motor failure
• Electrical or electronic equipment failure
• Overheating of transformers, switch gear, and cabling
• Nuisance tripping of circuit breakers or fuses
• Unstable equipment operation
• High energy usage and costs

Benefits of Power Factor Correction:

• The technical benefits: It improves efficiency and reduction in power demand, resulting in a reduction in the load on switching gear and cables, reduced costs to the consumer, and support for more load.
• Commercial benefits: There are reduced system losses and less capital cost for companies. In addition, there are large savings on electricity since there are no charges for excess reactive power. Another benefit is that the transmission and distribution equipment and systems run more efficiently and last longer.
• Environmental benefits:It helps reduce CO2 emissions.

Benefits of Power Quality Monitoring:

All devices which use electricity can malfunction due to continuous power fluctuations. This can lead to unnecessary expenditure as you may either need to buy them again or constantly fix/maintain them. With the help of power quality monitoring, you can learn how to manage your power supply and the longevity of all items that use electricity.

• It ensures ease and comfort running big industrial equipment
• It helps all workplaces to run properly and smoothly
• It prevents malfunction of electrical equipment

For the best energy saving technology solutions, get in touch with Icopower ESCO - an Energy Service Company that offers a wide range of solutions to help businesses enjoy the benefits of improved energy efficiency. Using a combination of industry experience, manufacturing partnerships, and logistical capabilities, they work around each client's goals for solutions within the shortest time possible.

Visit http://www.icopower-esco.com/ to know more!

5 Effective Solutions to Issues Related to Electric Power Quality

Issues related to electric power quality can be effectively managed if industries adopt solutions like those discussed below.

Solutions to voltage sags – Most voltage-sags can be reduced by using Ferro-resonant transformers. Often known as constant-voltage transformers (CVTs), these conditioners are ideally suited for constant, low-power loads. Load voltage controllers or UPS’s are some other options that can help tackle sag based on sensitivity and response time need.

Solutions to Harmonic Problems – One of the possible methods is to use harmonic filters to divert harmonic current from the facility’s equipment. Plus, adding reactors or isolation transformers on the feeders connected to harmonic producing loads can be a great idea.

Solution to Motor Issues – This can be carried out by adjusting the voltage unbalance and the incompatibilities between adjustable-speed drives and motors.

Solutions to Surges – Voltage surges caused by lightning or switching can be mitigated by surge-suppression devices. Such devices protect equipment by diverting the energy to the ground when the voltage exceeds the breakdown voltage of the device.

Solutions to Electromagnetic Interference Problems – Electromagnetic interference problems can be managed through four methods – proper grounding, attenuating emissions at the source, shielding sensitive equipment, and capturing and returning emissions to the source. Also, using reactors at the input of an Adjustable Speed Drives (ASD) or connected to its DC link is the most cost-effective way to minimize the effect of capacitor-switching transients on ASDs.

Keeping an eye on the power quality also results in reduced energy consumption. Icopower ESCO is an Independent Energy Service company which develops, implements, and,in order to improve the energy efficiency for facilities over a 3- to 5-year time period, arranges its own project financing. The mission of Icopower ESCO is to analyze, design, and implement energy efficiency solutions that will create value for facility owners and operators across all sectors in East Africa and beyond.The vision is to contribute to prosperity throughout the region, generating benefits for the economy, the environment, and for society according to the triple bottom line of sustainable development. For more information, visit www.icopower-esco.com or write to fm@icopower.com.