Energy efficiency in the illuminated signs

The initiative promoted by Aserluz is based on an awareness campaign on efficiency and energy savings that implies to use new and more efficient ways of lighting for the labels of commercial identification. Energy efficiency can be defined as the reduction of energy consumption while maintaining the same energy services, without diminishing our comfort and quality of life, protecting the environment, ensuring the supply and fostering sustainable behaviour in its use.

In Spain in the middle of 2009 had registered 3.355.830 companies, according to data from the National Institute of statistics. If each entrepreneur has, at least, a bright banner where you advertise and announces their services, there are 3.5 million of illuminated signs in Spain. 75% Of those bright installed have sources of old and inefficient lighting, which means an annual 2.296 million terawatt-hour consumption and 597.128 tons of CO2 particles emitted into the atmosphere.

The low efficiency of the signs is due to fluorescent tubes of high consumption, to coatings with opaque colors that just miss the light, that the lights are not subject to regular checks or a specific regulation.

For example, if we cambiásemos the old system of fluorescence of the illuminated signs for LED technology, the power consumption would be reduced to 551 terawatt-hour, i.e. 77% less than the average annual consumption, which would bring us closer to the objectives of Spain in the Kyoto Protocol. This energy saving would involve, in addition, a saving of 209 million Euros in the energy bill which would favour the economic development of our country.

In dealing with the renewal of the old systems of fluorescent entrepreneur and self-employed has to bear in mind that the new energy-saving systems are depreciated in only 22 months thanks to two very important factors: lower energy consumption and savings in maintenance.

Look for the improvement of efficiency in lighting systems is one of basic activities that are carried out to improve energy consumption profiles.

1. Change the source of ancient illumination by lamps of low consumption and long life. The most recommended for commercial lighting are the incandescent, halogen, metal halide, high sodium and low.

2. Installing luminaries to play effectively its role, which comply with a series of optical, mechanical and electrical characteristics.

3. Install systems for the use of natural light, to regulate the level of illumination based on the contribution of natural light, reflector paints and translucent materials.

4. Invest in lighting control technologies as sensors of proximity, regulation of power, double lighting or selective lighting.

5. Replace the old components of the facilities and carry out periodic checks through the existing regulation.

These changes or renovations, which in some cases may involve the electrical modification of the banner, are carried out by specialized companies in the sector.

The Spanish Association of entrepreneurs of luminous signs and related industries, Aserluz, as representative of the leading companies in the sector of the banner, is collaborating with the different related entities to get employers and freelancers to join in the energy efficiency of the illuminated signs:

-Institute for energy savings and diversification. IDAE

-Concierge service of industry

-Institutes for energy saving

-Chambers of Commerce

The main objective of this campaign is to improve the efficiency of the luminous signs installed and the reduction in electricity bills and the benefit to the environment. Change, although not mandatory is highly recommended go for this kind of action means to contribute to energy saving in greater measure of what at first glance may seem. Society in general will benefit from a reduction of our energy dependence and increasing our security of supply can be achieved.

The replacement of equipment makes it possible for owners adapt to the new regulations, such as, for example, the CE marking. In addition these infrastructures will be much more durable, easily recyclable, it will help to protect the environment, reducing the emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere and keeping as much as possible the night conditions, for the benefit of the ecosystems.

Now let's analyze an example that explains very significant savings that would be for any change of his sign fluorescent tubes tubes of low consumption LED diodes.

Suppose that the sign is 10 meters and is lit with 58 W tubes for 8 hours a day. Taking into account these references consumption difference between fluorescent and LEDs in a calendar year is 579 kW, involving a total savings per year of 86.86 euros in the energy bill.

With regard to the maintenance of one and the other there is a greater economic difference between a system and another; the price of the maintenance of the fluorescent 103.95 is euros per year while which LED the owner of the banner system only pays 36,37 euros.

In addition, we must bear in mind that the useful life of a fluorescent lamp does not reach the two years of life, while the LED lamps last, on average, more than 13 years.

It is true that change involves a disbursement of money, however, we recuperaríamos the investment made after three years.

If we add the 86,86 euros that we are saving in consumption and the 67,58 difference of maintenance, the result indicates that we save 154,44 euros in one year, multiplied by three are: 463 euros, the same amount resulting from the new installation of tubes LED. We must remember, also, that the third part of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere are issued with LED lamps.

As can be seen the change involves the energy reduction, reduced maintenance, depreciation for new equipment and ecological factor.

More information

For more information on energy efficiency in the illuminated signs can consult the Association's website: www.aserluz.org