Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Myths About New Lighting Legislation

New energy-efficiency legislation will take effect in 2012. Is your business ready?

Under new Department of Energy legislation, lighting manufacturers must cease the production of nonefficient lighting and related products, which according to Grainger, a distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products, will change the way facilities consume energy and maintain lighting. But, as is often the case, some myths already exist about the new requirements that “could end up putting some businesses at a disadvantage,” says Grainger’s John McDermott.

So what are some of these myths?
  • Myth #1: The legislation won’t affect commercial businesses as much as it will affect consumers. 
  • Myth #2: The only monetary return a business will get from switching to efficient lighting is the decrease in energy usage. 
  • Myth #3: All lighting within a commercial facility will require costly retrofits to accommodate the shape and design of energy-efficient lighting. 
  • Myth #4: Switching to energy-efficient LED lighting is expensive and will put a financial strain on a business.
  • Myth #5: Rather than rush to accommodate the legislation, just stock up on current inefficient lighting and wait until it runs out.
  • Myth #6: When evaluating lighting within a facility and determining the best way to approach the process, you are on your own.
  • Myth # 7: The best way to dispose of inefficient, fluorescent lighting is toss it in the trash.
Plenty of facts are available to refute these myths, Grainger says. Read some of them here.