For Immediate Release
New Lighting Solutions Initiative from Columbia Lighting Addresses
Energy and Tax Savings
July 20, 2007, Greenville, SC -- With energy costs rising at geometric rates in many areas of the country, energy conservation has become an operational priority for many commercial enterprises.
Today, business and industry of every description from retailers to business offices to manufacturing plants are seeing their energy costs taking a bigger bite out of their fixed overhead. As a result, everyone is looking for ways to stop a problem that continues to grow and impact profitability.
To stem the tide, the federal government passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) which established a long range policy to combat the nation’s energy crisis. Effective Jan. 1, 2006 through Dec. 31, 2008, the U.S. government is offering substantial, accelerated tax incentives as a reward for installing or retrofitting energy efficient lighting, HVAC and/or building envelope technologies in qualifying applications.
Lighting, a critical component of energy use today, costs 40% of the average commercial building’s electric bill. Energy efficient upgrades reduce energy consumption and operating costs by 30 to 50% and often pay for themselves within months. Generally, lighting retrofit investments are amortized over the life of the system. One of the most significant benefits of EPAct 2005 is that it allows a larger portion of the capital investment to be depreciated in the first year.
With its introduction of three innovative energy management lighting fixtures – a two lamp Parabolic, a fluorescent High Bay, and a full distribution Troffer – Columbia Lighting is poised to help any enterprise move closer to a sustainable future through the installation of energy conscious fluorescent lighting fixtures.
Designed for application in schools, offices, healthcare facilities, retail outlets of every description and size, and manufacturing facilities, the new lighting solutions initiative from Columbia will help users reduce their energy consumption without sacrificing light levels.
The first in a trio of fixtures making up Columbia’s lighting solutions initiative is its linear fluorescent high bay product, VersaBay. With strong application advantages in warehouses, factories and “big box” retail stores, VersaBay’s Advanced Thermal Management (ATM) system is challenging conventional HID fixtures usually associated with high bay installations.
Offering an unprecedented ballast warranty of up to 5 years in 65°C ambient environments, VersaBay with ATM addresses the issue of elevated temperatures associated with high bay lighting in unconditioned or partially conditioned buildings with a system designed to dissipate and control heat-producing elements.
At the same time VersaBay handles the problem of elevated temperatures, it also provides cost saving efficiencies and better illumination. Installing VersaBay™ high bays can achieve savings of over 50% in the cost of lighting. Even greater savings can be realized with EPAct2005 tax savings or through utility rebates. Typically, when replacing 400-watt metal halide systems with VersaBay™ luminaries, installation costs can be recovered in one year or less.
The second new energy-efficient offering from Columbia Lighting is EnergyMax™ fixture, a two-lamp parabolic system of tuned components created to strike a balance between light output and energy conservation. EnergyMax combines a proprietary louver material and ballast to optimize light output and energy savings. Its unequaled 89%+ efficiency permits two lamps to replace the traditional three-lamp parabolic. When compared to three lamp parabolics, EnergyMax delivers the same level of lumen output while consuming 34% less energy, and meets or exceeds the most stringent Lighting Power Density codes. Implementing the EnergyMax system can yield EPAct tax deductions up to $0.60 per square foot, and reduces mercury by one third.
The third product in Columbia’s energy-saving line-up is the ZPT Zero Plenum Troffer, a newly designed full distribution luminaire providing controlled light distribution illuminating work surfaces and walls while simultaneously reducing harsh shadows. The result is a work atmosphere that balances visual comfort with productivity. ZPT is available with three different shielding options – acrylic lenses, perforated metal baskets, or flush curved baffles – along with open, ribbed, or smooth reflector choices. The shielding and reflector options may be mixed and matched to suit the aesthetic requirements of virtually any work environment.
ZPT features a shallow profile and a unique telescoping housing making it easy to install in all types of settings including those with restricted room. With a depth of only 1 ½” and needing only 3” of plenum space for installation, it fits easily into plenums crowded with ductwork, wiring, and pipes. Its light weight and telescoping housing feature make ZPT easier to install. Also, because ZPT allows for below-ceiling access, it is also extremely maintenance friendly.
The energy savings ZPT affords, translates into valuable tax deductions. Employing two standard T5 lamps with a power consumption of 60 watts compared to a standard lamp parabolic consuming 85 watts, ZPT exceeds even the most restrictive government codes and promises tax deductions under EPAct2005 of $0.60 per square foot.
With the introduction of VersaBay, EnergyMax and ZPT, Columbia Lighting is responding to the business community’s energy consumption concerns and the tax savings opportunities EPAct2005 offers. These three lighting solutions will create positive change and represent a win-win-win for specifiers, electrical contractors, and building owners and users alike.
For further information contact Columbia Lighting, 701 Millennium Boulevard, Greenville, SC 29607, phone 864-678-1000 or visit Columbia’s websites at www.create-change.com and www.columbialighting.com.
Contact:
Rhonda Rogers rrogers@columbialighting.com
Len Lirtzman leonardlirtzman@comcast.net