The garage feels much safer

When Landskronahem decided to update the lighting in its garages, the switch to LED luminaires from Exaktor was a real bonus, reducing energy consumption by as much as 71 per cent. Motion sensor control cut consumption by a further 22 per cent.

The fact that 17 million old fluorescent tubes are being gradually phased out due to new EU directives will make an immediate difference to electricity consumption as the new LED luminaires are installed. And cheaper electricity bills are not the only benefit.

“We have received tremendous feedback from our tenants, who now feel much safer in the garage,” says Daniel Nordstedt.

Motion sensors make a big different Daniel is an IT and technology coordinator with public housing company Landskronahem. He is a member of the company’s energy group, which like may others in these times has been struggling with soaring energy prices.

“We looked at how we could make savings by becoming more energy-efficient and eventually arrived at lighting, particularly in our garages," says Daniel.

Landskronahem has seven garages adjacent to its properties and when an inventory was conducted of lighting it quickly became apparent that there were major shortcomings, especially in control systems.

“For example, we noticed that some garages were lit up around the clock. We knew that motion sensors would make a difference so we contacted Ahlsell for advice on selecting new luminaires,” says Daniel.

As one of the Nordic region’s leading distributer of technical installation products, Ahlsell has a central department with salespeople who specialise in lighting. These lighting specialists design the project on site and propose suitable products that result in customised, energy-saving solutions. In the case of Landskronahem, the solution was Exaktor luminaires from Proton Lighting. Hans Malmros, regional key account manager at Ahlsell, explains:

“We use Exaktor a great deal as it suits many of our customers’ purposes. Not only that, but we have also received excellent help from Rickard Bengtsson, who has become something of an extended arm for us.

Indeed, as Proton Lighting’s regional sales rep for southern Sweden, Rickard Bengtsson has definitely had a hand in things. Rickard assisted by programming lighting optimisation in all garages in which Exaktor luminaires were installed. He also maintained close contact with Daniel, going through all of the technical solutions.

“Daniel is a bit of a tech nerd and picks up things really quickly,” says Rickard.

It certainly is true that Daniel like technology. When the time came to install the system in the last of the garages, the very latest Exaktor LED luminaire was available, upgraded with the Koolmesh control system. Daniel is particularly effusive about the new control system.

“It’s easy to program. The entire installation is very easy to keep track of and I’ve received good support from Rickard on how to manage the installation after commissioning. I like the fact that it’s so easy to read energy consumption and adjust the lighting,” says Daniel.

According to Rickard, the new, upgraded Koolmesh system has many advantages:

“With Bluetooth 4.0. you have a shorter range between luminaires and easy access to remote control of the installation. It’s quite simply much better.”

Daniel continues:

“The new system seems to be both more stable and faster when it comes to running all of the luminaires in the network.”

The final installation is so recent that, at the time of writing, there are very few statistics available. However, when Daniel logs in to the system and looks at hourly energy consumption on individual days, the figures speak for themselves.

“Before the installation, we were averaging around 49 kWh per day. With the new sensor-controlled luminaires, we have come down as low as 4.2 kWh per day,” says Daniel.

The garage is divided into 12 zones, within which lighting is adapted based on motion and presence.

“The thing that really strikes you on entering the garage is the new, improved lighting,” says Hans.

Hans and Rikard have noticed similar improvements when collaborating on LED lighting projects and installations in schools, sports halls and other public environments. For example, the new classroom lighting at Sunds Upper-Secondary School in Vellinge has proved a great success, going from a low of 58 lux with the old fluorescent tubes to the present 1,000 lux with Exaktor LED lighting.

“There are many psychological factors associated with having the right light that not everyone is aware of. It's great to hear just how enthusiastic teachers and students alike are," says Rickard.