Free LED energy-saving lights
Free LED light bulbs (‘lamps’) are being offered by energy efficient lighting specialist Totalight: The company has just announced that it is giving away its new ‘next generation’ dimmable LED lamps in return for a share of the energy savings that they create.
These new lights replace energy hungry 50W GU10 halogens and match them with the latest dimmable capability, yet are powered by just 5.3 watts of electricity.
The power saving is considerable, claims Totalight and this is how the company recoups the initial outlay for the lamps, as an alternative to a traditional outright purchase.
To agree the payback, those receiving the lamps disclose the pence per kilowatt of electricity that they are paying and agree the average hours of daily usage. Using these figures, Totalight calculates and agrees a percentage share of the recipient’s future savings. This is then payable on receipt of energy bills over a two year period, ensuring that from the moment the lamps are installed the recipient is achieving energy savings with no initial cost. After two years, full ownership is transferred to the recipient, who then receives all ongoing energy savings.
Explaining the giveaway, Totalight managing director, Mark Blanchfield enthused, “We want to make energy saving as simple and achievable as possible. By giving our new lamps away, we smash any reluctance caused by the high purchase price seen currently in the LED market. Our aim isn’t only to save our customers money on their electricity bills, but also to help them to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint helping towards CRC.”
As an illustration, an example organisation replacing 1,000 halogen lamps for Totalight LEDs would save about 90 per cent on their energy bills*, cutting £11,000 off each year. In this example the money saving is enhanced by carbon output savings of 41 metric tons per year.
The new Totalight lamps have been designed to be a direct replacement for their GU10 counterparts, built for existing recessed housings and fittings (with a conversion kit available for MR16). They use much less energy to run and outlive halogens by an average of 48,000 hours of operation; a timespan that would require 25 halogen replacement lamps, according to Totalight.
For facilities managers it’s worth noting that the extended lifespan of LED lamps means much less frequent replacement, saving money on maintenance and additional lamp purchases. According to Totalight, 85 per cent of the components in its new TL403GU-D lamp are reusable, barring the LEDs, and the company is currently considering a refurbishment service to maximise the landfill savings.
For those who would rather purchase the new lights and capitalise on their own energy saving, Totalight is offering the TL403GU-D at commercial rates as low as £12.00 plus VAT. Savvy facilities professionals may calculate this to be a better deal financially than sharing energy saving returns, as Mark Blanchfield wryly admits; “If Totalight provides the lamps for free we make more money in the long run, but shoulder the initial outlay to give the customer a no-cost way to switch and save, which has zero impact on their cash flow. By adding the straight purchase option we give the buyer the choice to take all the money savings. It’s up to the individual organisation which is the best model for them – it’s win-win in terms of money saving and energy saving, whatever their preference.”
Totalight has been developing the new dimmable lamps for 18 months and is manufacturing using the best components. The body is fabricated in aluminium for good heat management and stability, with high quality CREE LEDs. The light is ‘warm white’ and matches a 50W GU10 halogen output.
To calculate your organisation’s own potential saving, visit www.totalight.co.uk for a calculator function that allows you to see both the possible energy bill cut and the associated carbon reduction.
*Example based on eight hours use, five days per week.
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