Energy Efficiency

Phase is at the leading edge of providing clients with the most up to date energy saving electrical systems. There has never been a time when people are more aware of the impact we make on the environment. We don’t profess to know everything about the subject, but for general guidance on how to save energy in the home, we advise you to visit the following website: Act on CO2

Making your home as energy efficient as possible not only helps the environment but could also save you money. An energy efficient bulb produces less CO2 and can save up to £60 in electricity over its lifetime.

Energy saving bulbs work in standard fittings and lamps, and are widely available at low prices. You can buy ones that look similar to old-style bulbs and give out the same coloured light, and some are even available for use with dimmer switches.

Energy saving bulbs still use energy, so remember to keep them switched off when not in use.

Turning things off when you’re not using them is the cheapest and easiest way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Don’t leave it on standby!

If everyone in the UK switched off unused appliances it would save £800 million a year. Leaving appliances plugged in and switched on at the socket means they’re still using energy – so turn TVs, games consoles and mobile phone chargers off at the mains to save yourself money.

Turn off the lights!

£140 million a year is wasted through leaving lights on in unused rooms, so always turn off the lights when you leave a room.

How Phase can help

If Phase are carrying out an electrical installation of your home, we will advise you on the best options for you. Some of the areas we advise both commercial and domestic clients on are:

Use of Compact Flourescents

A Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), or compact fluorescent light is a type of light which converts electrical power into useful light more efficiently than an incandescent lamp. Many CFLs are designed to replace incandescent lamps and can fit into most existing fixtures.

Compared to general service incandescent lamps giving the same amount of light CFLs generally use less power, have a longer rated life, but a higher purchase price. Lower energy costs typically offset the higher initial cost of the lamp and they can save 2,000 times their own weight in greenhouse gases.

CFLs radiate a different light spectrum from that of incandescent lamps. Improved design means modern CFLs are rated as subjectively similar in colour to standard incandescent lamps.

Low Wattage Lighting

Fluorescent lamps emit less heat, and are therefore more efficient. A fluorescent lamp can produce from 50 to 100 lumens* per watt. This makes them four to six times more efficient than traditional incandescent lamps. You can use a 15-watt fluorescent lamp to produces the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent lamp.

*What is a Lumen?

Lumens is a photometric measure of light or the flux of a light being produced by a light source or received by a surface. Lumens (or luminous power) takes into account the perceived light rather than the optical power. Watts measure the amount of power used.

It makes more sense to talk about lumens when you need to assess the perceived “brightness”, of a light source.

Programmable lighting systems

Phase can assist you in installing lighting systems that can be programmed to take advantage of natural available light, reducing energy consumption. Sensors detect the light levels entering the room or space and reduce the powered lighting when the natural light meets the pre-determined required light level. In addition, lights can be programmed to switch off at a specific time of day, for example after normal office hours.

With light level sensors, the system can be designed to take advantage of natural light levels and utilise only the minimum necessary amount of lighting, saving energy and money.

For more information or to arrange for us to come and talk to you about your requirements please call our office on 01732 300340 or call Paul Reeves on 07768 834087 or you can get in touch via our Contact Us page.