What is the difference between a smart LED lighting offering and a LED retrofit?

A smart LED conversion is the replacement of lighting fixtures with LED fixtures that include embedded wireless communication controls. These controls differentiate this offering from a traditional LED retrofit. A retrofit is the substitution of old parts, such as fluorescent tubes, with new or modernized parts, such as LED tubes. This offering goes beyond what a retrofit usually achieves. By replacing with new fixtures the illuminance and efficacy is far superior to any retrofit. Coupled with embedded wireless controls, customers can save more energy and money with a quicker return on investment and better overall lifecycle costs than a retrofit would achieve.

How does the technology work?

Streamline Energy’s smart LED lighting system replaces outdated fixtures in customers’ facilities with LEDs that have embedded communication controls. Through programming, these wireless controls allow customers to reduce the number of fixtures needed, while improving the quality of light as well as optimizing energy use to save money, reduce their carbon footprint, and improve occupant and building safety.

​Why do we recommend the replacement using new LEDs when there are so many low-cost LED retrofit options out there?

Replacing components within existing fixtures often results in poor quality light, and the customer does not achieve the full potential of the opportunity.

It is effectively the same amount of work to replace the old fixtures with new, cutting-edge LED lights, and the added benefit of the embedded wireless controls allows you to program your space to further optimize your energy use.

By fully replacing the fixtures, you extend the lifespan of the lighting and improve the longevity of the investment.

A smart lighting conversion allows customers to take advantage of tax benefits and local utility-funded incentive programs.

By installing fixtures with embedded wireless communication controls, you establish a digital ceiling in the facility. With this digital ceiling installed, our customers are subsequently able to implement further systems and facility optimizations without having to install new technology.

Is there a standard on the lighting requirements for workers?

Yes. Streamline Energy operates by the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, which means the workspace needs to be lit to at least 27 foot candles (fc). There are so many workplaces we see out there nowhere near that standard and not only does that make it a harder place to work but that is an incredibly huge potential liability operating a facility with sub-par illumination levels.

Are there any concerns related to cyber security, given that the lights are Networked together?

No, the product does not connect with the facility network infrastructure in any way.

How long does it take to create the proposal?

If the designed lighting solution uses primarily turnkey lighting fixtures, creating the proposal for a 100,000 sq ft facility would take approximately 1-3 hours. A million sq ft facility would require approximately one day to create the proposal. If the building type has more small rooms which need to be addressed individually (e.g. offices and condos), that will require more time as well.

If you are creating a more custom lighting solution and you need to source less common fixtures, it could take a few weeks to pull all the pieces together. Each proposal is nuanced, and you need to make sure use exact values and costs to properly calculate the payback periods.

How much downtime can our customers anticipate for installation?

Zero. Since 2018, Streamline Energy have completed projects at numerous facilities without a single disruption in production or operations. We work closely with client to maintain consistency and roll out large scale projects with minimal impact to our customers’ operations.

How can this lighting solution be implemented with zero capital expenditure?

If the customer can’t afford the capital expenditure for the project or has rules that prevent them from taking on capital projects that require over 2 years to break even (common in the industry), EcoGrid can arrange financing through one of their preferred financing partners. Examples:

• Cost of lighting project: $50,000

-One-time incentive from incentive provider: $5,000

• Annual energy savings: $20,000

• Monthly energy savings: $1,667

• Payback period: 2.25 years

Customer would be leaving $1,667/month of energy spend on the table if they do not proceed with the lighting project. They will continue to pay too much for their energy if they do not act.

Financing option: $925/month for a 5-year lease. They end up spending slightly more on the project over the 5-year term ($55,500) but receive a cash positive balance of $742/month, as well as the continued energy savings beyond the 5-year term.

Is this lighting solution expensive?

With increasing popularity of the product and advancements in wireless technologies, the cost of the product has decreased over the last decade and has improved the economics of the offering. Though more expensive than new LED lights without embedded wireless controls, the added savings associated with the programming and controls results in substantial energy savings and quicker payback than standard LED fixtures.

How much more expensive if a smart LED conversion compared to a regular LED conversion or retrofit?​​

As every case is different, it’s impossible to give a one-sized fits all answer. It depends on the needs of the client and the lights that are chosen for the designed lighting solution. On average, however, the price could be between 10-50% more than a regular LED project. Please keep in mind the added energy          cost savings from this product when comparing the two project types.

What is the typical return on investment or simple payback?

The payback period for standard LED lighting projects is approximately 2-3 years with energy savings of 40-50%.

Depending on the application, the ROI of this offering is approximately 3-24 months with energy savings of 80-94% in industrial applications. These numbers are verified by BC Hydro Power Smart who substantiate these savings before paying out the incentive.

(In industrial, manufacturing, warehouse, and cold storage facilities, the payback period ranges from 3- 12 months. For large commercial spaces, the payback period is typically between 6-24 months.)

Does this offering reduce lighting-related maintenance costs?

Yes. By switching the existing fixtures for new LED lights, the customer will get cutting-edge technology and reduce their associated maintenance costs. Given that the smart LED lights have a longer lifespan than regular LED lights, this further reduces the maintenance costs. Maintenance savings are estimated in the customer proposal and quote. These savings are quantified via auditing software tools used to capture and analyze customer data.

How do you measure your lighting energy savings?

Our first step is to perform a lighting assessment. We then design an engineered solution that produces the anticipated energy savings. The project goes through third party pre-project and post-project review as part of the BC Hydro Alliance and Power Smart program. They validate the savings when the project is completed. Think of this as a free engineering firm that’s on your side looking out for your best interests, particularly for energy savings. For some large-scale projects, they would initiate a Measurement and Verification (M+V) report which is facilitated by a data logger installed on sample circuits to substantiate the consumption improvements and savings.

Why should I trust Streamline Energy?

Streamline Energy is an EcoGrid company and together have installed over 150 LED lighting retrofits and upgrades across Canada and has over 30 years of          experience working in the electrical contracting industry, with a focus on commercial and industrial facilities. We have executed over 22 million square feet of LED and wireless controls conversion projects across North America and have been bringing LED and wireless controls solutions to the market since the early 2010s. Streamline Energy incorporates cutting edge products using a hardware-agnostic philosophy.

Why should I trust Streamline Energy?

Streamline Energy is an EcoGrid company and together have installed over 150 LED lighting retrofits and upgrades across Canada and has over 30 years of          experience working in the electrical contracting industry, with a focus on commercial and industrial facilities. We have executed over 22 million square feet of LED and wireless controls conversion projects across North America and have been bringing LED and wireless controls solutions to the market since the early 2010s. Streamline Energy incorporates cutting edge products using a hardware-agnostic philosophy.

What is Streamline Energy warranty?

Most lighting product manufcaturers offer a 10-year warranty, and Streamline Energy will extend a 10-year warranty to the customer for whatever lights don’t have this level of warranty. What really sets us apart is our “Worry-free labour-inclusive guarantee”. On most lighting jobs in the industrial space, warranties only cover parts, but one of the bigger costs to the client is the labour. Streamline Energy commits to covering the cost of labour in the case of a warranty issue to ensure the issue is fixed at zero cost.

Have you noticed a change in customer appetite for this offering since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Yes, we have noticed it is harder to get permission to enter customers’ facilities to do the lighting audits in some cases. In other cases, customers want to prioritize this energy efficiency upgrade because their business is slower now and the disruption to operations will be reduced as well.