Date Announced: 01 Nov 2010 Yorba Linda, Calif. – Business owners are increasingly becoming aware that they can cut costs by upgrading to energy-efficient lighting. That’s because about 40 percent of the electricity used in a typical commercial building goes toward lighting. But getting out of the gate can be a challenge, especially when so many different solutions exist, requiring extensive research into costs and benefits. With that in mind, Precision-Paragon [P2], a division of Hubbell Lighting, Inc., has released a free web app that provides a starting point, with a reasonable range of cost, savings and environmental benefits for lighting retrofit projects in offices, warehouses and manufacturing spaces. “We wanted to create something that would be easy to use and that would help facility operators understand how retrofits can save money and, at the same time, benefit the environment,” said Ray Pustinger, [P2]’s vice president and general manager. “The web app is simple and straightforward and presents compelling reasons to implement energy-efficient lighting.” The Lighting Retrofit Calculator is available on the [P2] Web site and can be embedded in most other Web sites. Here’s how it works: Select the facility type you’re interested in retrofitting, the amount you’re paying per kW hour of electricity, the square footage of your facility and its annual hours of operation. If you’re unsure about a field, the calculator provides suggestions. Then click “calculate.” The app quickly processes the project cost, energy savings, cost savings and years to reach payback. It also calculates environmental benefits – such as the number of cars taken off the road for one year, gallons of gasoline not burned and households powered for one year with the electricity that is saved. “The potential to reduce greenhouse gases and the nation’s reliance on non-renewable resources through retrofits is huge, and this app can help facility operators take the first steps in getting there,” Pustinger said. “The calculator sets the table for the next steps -- establishing a budget, engaging an energy efficiency professional to evaluate the right technology for the facility and securing investment-grade relighting proposals and scopes of work.”In California alone lighting accounts for 35 percent of electricity use in the commercial sector. Those commercial buildings, totaling 5 billion square feet of space, consume more electricity than any other end-use sector in California, according to the Public Utilities Commission. “We think this web app could really make a difference in so many projects that stall at the starting gate due to the overwhelming array of choices” Pustinger said. “We felt developing the app coincided with our tradition of innovation and creativity. Those are the same strengths we’ve used throughout the years to make energy engineered, customized lighting fixtures.” To use or embed the web app, go to http://www.p-2.com/benefits/lighting-retrofit-calculator/.About Precision-Paragon [P2]: For nearly 20 years, [P2] has made high-quality, indoor-and-outdoor light fixtures for just about any setting -- including retail, commercial and industrial spaces. [P2]’s energy-efficient lighting drastically cuts energy consumption, creating big cost savings and significant environmental benefits. Over the last two decades, [P2] has earned a reputation for going the extra distance in customer service by producing high quality, American-made products. [P2] products are manufactured in Gainesville, Fla., Hudson, Wis., and at the company’s headquarters in Yorba Linda, Calif.
Contact
Ray Pustinger Vice President/General Manager 714-386-5550
E-mail:[email protected]
Web Site:www.p-2.com
