Lighting retrofitting will play a significant role in pursuing a sustainable green future. Nowadays, LED fittings can  be easily installed in traditional luminaire  holders. For example, LED T8 tubes can easily replace existing Fluorescent T8 tube light fittings with just minor modification to the circuit by removing the ballast.

What types of LED fittings are available in the market?

LED lighting technology has been developed to satisfy successfully every application in the building environment. Today LED technology is powering household bulbs, Par lights,  LED tube T8 , Projector lights, grow lights, recessed 600×600 light boards and several other light bulb designs. A wide range of color temperatures is also available to create the desirable environment.

What is the process of purchasing and installing LED lighting?

The best process is for the lighting designer to undertake a FREE LED survey. During the FREE LED survey the type and number of LED lights to be installed is determined. The next step is to install a sample of LED lights so they can be tested by the building owner prior to final installation. It is very important to test them as light uniformity, the direct light produced and wide range of  light spectrum make it mandatory to experience LED light quality first hand.

Another important aspect of this process is to determine the ROI. First of all the application areas that will provide the best payback should be identified. For instance, the long operational lifetime of LED lighting ( ≥50,000 hours) will generate the shortest payback periods and energy savings for applications for office buildings that require 6 hours or more of lighting operation. Hence, huge energy and electricity bill savings can be achieved.

Syntegra Consulting’s FREE on-site survey(for a limited time only) catalogues every existing light fitting and its current output.  The information is collated and the current electricity consumption costs are calculated.  A proposal is then submitted recommending new lamps or fittings, together with detailed investment and installation costs,  as well as the payback period. The cost of such projects can often be financed using interest free loans from the Carbon Trust.  Syntegra Consulting can apply on a client’s behalf and projects can be funded from the ongoing savings. Once the payback period is achieved, there can be continued savings for the next 5 – 10 years.

Syntegra Consulting is an independent energy consultancy and can source products from all the major European LED lighting manufacturers.  The company will specify the optimum light sources for its clients for any specific project.  For more information on the Free LED Feasibility Survey,contact Syntegra Consulting Ltd today.

This year will be a reporting year only, and participants will not be required to purchase allowances. From 2011/12 onwards, at the beginning of each annual reporting year participants should purchase allowances based on their expected energy sue. During the introductory phase allowances will be sold at a fixed price.

During each compliance year they must report on their emissions and surrender an equivalent number of allowances to cover those emissions. If they do not buy the right number of allowances, they can buy additional allowances or sell the excess.

The first main sale of allowances will be in April 2011, covering projected CO2 emissions for pril 2011 to March 2012. These allowances will be sold by Government for £12 per tonne of C02. The scheme is revenue-neutral overall, meaning all revenue raised from the main sale is re-distributed back to participants according to their position in the annual performance league table.

As a consequence, participants successful in reducing energy consumption will not only save money on energy bilsls, but will need to purchase fewer allowances and will receive greater financial reward through revenue recycling. These savings should be well in excess of the costs of participating in the scheme.

Participants that perform well will also be placed higher in the performance league table, which will be published annually by the Environment Agency.

There are two Acts of Parliament that impose a statutory duty on landlords regarding the safety of electrical equipment:

1. The Consumer Protection Act 1987

2. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

The Consumer Protection Act affects all persons who let property in the course of their business because it defines them as “suppliers”, i.e. they are supplying goods to the tenant. There are several items of secondary legislation under the umbrella of the Consumer protection Act which are directly relevant to the supply of electrical goods, including:

1. The Low Voltage Electrical Equipment Regulations 1989

2. The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994

3. The General Product Safety Regulations 1994

4. The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994

These regulations impose a duty on landlords to ensure that all electrical equipment supplied by them is safe for use by the tenant. The Consumer Protection Act provides a defence of ‘due diligence’, whereby a landlord can defend a contravention of the Act if he can demonstrate that he took reasonable steps to avoid committing the offence. The Health and Safety at Work Act places a duty of care upon both employer and employee to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises.  This definition would appear to apply to landlords and agents; similarly, tenants would appear to be a group of persons affected by the landlord’s operations. This tends to suggest that electrical regulations, which are ostensibly directed at employers and the work place, are equally applicable to landlords, their premises and their tenants. In summary, a landlord has duties both as a ‘supplier of goods’ and as the ‘person responsible’ for an electrical installation. As a ‘supplier of goods’ he must ensure that goods are checked before the tenant takes them over and as a ‘person responsible’ he must ensure an adequate system of maintenance. A regular inspection programme is an essential part of any maintenance system.

We can currently undertake Electric periodic checks and PAT testing Nationwide via our Green Surveyor ® brand.

· FITs provide a secured income over 20-25 years of electricity generation.

· A secured export rate of 3p/kWh over 25 years. The rest of the rate will change over the years.

· Offset grid supplied electricity (OFGEM forecasts 40% increase in cost over next decade (average cost to be over 20p/kWh in 2020).

· A typical homeowner can expect to achieve an average IRR of 7-9%. Higher levels are achievable when combined with grants or for particularly efficient systems/locations

What are the stages of a Feed In Tariff project?

In order to develop a successful FIT project the following project development cycle needs to be followed.

The development of such a project entails the design and implementation of renewable energy systems. Hence, such systems need to be planned carefully and implemented accordingly in order to be qualified for the FIT scheme. The design phase of such projects is the most important since it will determine its performance. The phases of a FIT project are:

• Pre-Feasibility Study Phase.

• Feasibility Study Phase.

• Project Development phase.

• Construction Phase.

• Operation-FIT implementation.

How important is the Pre-feasibility and Feasibility phase for the successful development of a Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff System?

The pre-feasibility and feasibility phases are the phases where the viability of such a project is determined. These are the stages which involves the higher risk, since most of the project variables are unknown. A well planned Pre-feasibility and feasibility phase should include and investigate the following elements.

• Site Selection for generation of electricity from Renewable sources.

• Site Investigation: The proposed site is investigated in order to determine the amount of renewable sources available and the suitability of the site to accommodate them.

• Analysis of environmental and site constraints and investigation of possible ways to mitigate them.

• Low Zero Carbon/Renewable technology Feasibility Study. The feasibility study includes:

1) Energy Yield Analysis.

2)Renewable Technology selection

3)Economic Analysis: Cost & Revenue assessment, ROIs etc.

• Conceptual Design

These two initial stages of the project development are vital for the successful implementation of the project. It is certain, that a well defined and analyzed project at feasibility stage, will guarantee to the potential owner the benefits of FITs.

If you would like to know more about implementation of Feed In Tariffs and Renewable Energy Technology Systems, feel free to contact our Low Zero Carbon consultants on T:08450091625

· A maximum of 5MW installed capacity of the same renewable technology can be installed.

· It is possible to get an installed capacity more than 5MW, if two or more systems of different renewable technology are installed. For example, one may have installed a PV system of 3MW and two wind turbines of 3MW totaling 6MW.

· Multiple installations of the same technology will be classed as a single installation site when the FIT is determined.

· An increase of the renewable system’s installed capacity within 12 months will be treated as an increase in the capacity of the installation. For example, if someone who is receiving FITs for a 4MW PV installation, increases it’s capacity by 1 MW within 12 months of receiving the FITs for the initial installation, the increase will be added to initial capacity of 4MW.

· If an increase in installed capacity takes place after one year from the confirmation date in the Central FITs Register, then the increase will be treated as a separate system/station

For more information on Feed-In tariffs for any of the above technologies on your potential development please call one of our consultants today on 08450091625.

The Feed In Tariffs are tariffs introduced by the government to encourage Renewable Energy micro generation. The most important aspects of FIT’s are outlined below:

• FITs are paid by the utility company for every kWh of electricity generated from the renewable energy system.
• The FITs are paid to the owners of the generating systems: homeowners, tenants, businesses, schools, hospitals, farmers, landlords etc.
• Tariffs change depending on:

i) When the system was installed

ii) The type and size of system

iii) Limited to 5 MW installed capacity

• Indexation is calculated annually as a % increase or decrease over a period of 12 months ending 31st December.

Which Renewable Energy Technologies can be used under the Feed In Tariffs(FITs), to generate electricity?

· Aerobic Digestion

· Photovoltaics (PV)

· Wind Turbines

· Hydro Power

· Micro CHP

How do you make money from Feed In Tariffs (FITs) ?

• The owner of the system will get paid, by a utility company, up to 41.3p/kWh for the electricity he generates
• The owner will get paid, by the utility company, an additional guaranteed 3p/kWh for the electricity he exports back to the electricity grid.
• The owner may also sell the electricity at the open market at higher price.
• Of course the owner can save himself money on his electricity bills by consuming the electricity produced by his Renewable System installed. Therefore, the owner of the RES(Renewable Energy System) will import less electricity since he will be generating a proportion of it. (currently between 6 and 13p/kWh)
• People who generate their own electricity, will not be vulnerable to rising electricity prices.
  

For more information on Feed-In tariffs for any of the above technologies on your potential development please call one of our consultants today on 08450091625.

Q: Why hasn’t the Government consulted on this, they promised to do so in opposition?
The manifestos of the current Government (Conservatives and Liberal Democrats) promised to abolish HIPs and will do so as soon as primary legislation is available.

But the Government believes it needs to act quickly to suspend HIPs to remove unnecessary cost and bureaucracy from the housing market.

Supporters of HIPs are of course free to put forward their views on the suspension in the period leading up to the Government seeking powers from Parliament to abolish HIPs.
Q: I am a HIP provider – will I get compensation?
No. The present Government (Conservatives and Liberal Democrats) have consistently opposed the introduction of HIPs and promised to abolish them in their respective manifestos.

Important to note that only requirement to provide a HIP is suspended. Sellers are free to choose to provide information to buyers on a voluntary basis and HIP providers can offer such products.
Q: Thousands of people involved in the production of HIPs will now lose their jobs?
It is not good enough to carry on with a policy that is both unnecessary and costly, purely on the basis of providing job security. HIPs are not providing value for money for sellers or for buyers, so we should not continue burden to the market with this extra layer of bureaucracy.

HIP providers could still have a part to play in the housing market offering as buyers and sellers will still require Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), evidence of title and local searches.
Q: I am a Home Inspector and abolishing HIPs means that there is no possibility of using my qualifications?
There is work available to Home Inspectors who are accredited energy assessors in producing domestic EPCs which continue to be required for rental properties and properties marketed for sale.
Q: Will the Government compensate Home Inspectors?
We appreciate that abolition of HIPs would remove the option of compulsory Home Condition Reports. However, when the Government was in opposition they made it clear that they opposed HIPs and set out in their manifestos plans to abolish them if elected.
Q: Will an EPC still be needed after the suspension of HIPs?
Yes. Sellers will need to have commissioned but not necessarily received an Energy Performance Certificate before marketing can start. Estate agents cannot start marketing until they are satisfied that an EPC is available or has been commissioned.

Agents will also have to include energy information in written particulars, as was the case before the suspension of HIPs. They must do so as soon as the energy information becomes available.
Q: Who will be responsible for providing the EPC?
The duty to provide an EPC falls on either the seller, in the case of a building being sold, or the landlord, in the case of a building being rented. In the case of new buildings the duty to provide an EPC falls on the builder.
Q: When does the EPC have to be provided?
An EPC has to be made available at the earliest opportunity and, in any event, no later than exchange of contracts. As soon as the EPC is obtained the energy rating or the EPC must be included with any written particulars.
Q: Where is the legislation on EPCs contained?
The legislation is contained in the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (as amended by the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2010).
Q: What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The penalty for not ensuring that an EPC is available or has been commissioned and failing to include energy information in written particulars is £200. The enforcement of these requirements is the responsibility of Trading Standards Officers.

Q: How long will the EPC be valid for if it is not part of a HIP?
All EPCs for all buildings are valid for 10 years from the date that they are prepared.
Q: What about the requirement to include energy information in written particulars?
The duty to include energy information in written particulars has been retained. It arises once an EPC has been obtained.
Q: What if the EPC is not available when I prepare the written particulars?
Written particulars can still be prepared and made available but the energy information should be added to the written particulars as soon as it is available.
Q: Is there a time limit on this?
The seller and estate agent must use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the EPC is available within 28 days of the property going on the market.
Q: How long will the HIP suspension last – why don’t you just abolish them outright?
Outright abolition will need primary legislation and we will do that as soon as practicable.
Q: Why not just suspend HIPs and leave it at that?
The Government is committed to implementing its policy to abolish HIPs. The power to suspend is therefore an interim measure.
Q: Will estate agents have any HIP duties once they are suspended?
No but there will be duties under the EPB Regulations for agents to ensure that an EPC has been commissioned before marketing starts and to include the rating in written particulars when available.
Q: Am I still obliged to provide a copy of the HIP?
No but there is no reason not to do so if it improves the chances of a successful sale. The seller will still have to provide a copy of the EPC to potential buyers at the earliest opportunity and in any event before exchange of contracts.
Q: I received a request for a copy of the HIP before the suspension date – am I still obliged to provide it?
No but see answer to previous question.
Q: Can buyers still rely on a HIP after the suspension date?
Yes. If the HIP was compliant with the regulations there is no reason why a buyer should not be able to trust it.

Q: Will estate agents still be liable for breaches that occurred before HIPs were suspended?
Yes. The suspension of the duties is not retrospective. However, it will be for enforcement authorities to decide whether to pursue the matter.
Q: Can personal search companies go back to using insurance in their searches when they can’t get information from local authorities?
The rules on the content of searches only applied to searches in the HIP and will not apply to searches provided in other circumstances.
Q: Will the CLG be providing guidance on the effect of these changes?
Yes, the CLG website and others (DirectGov & Business Link) will be updated as soon as possible.
Q: There is evidence that HIPs were beginning to work – why not try and improve them rather that abolish them altogether? And where is the evidence that HIPs were damaging the market?
The election manifestos were clear that if elected, the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrat parties would abolish the HIP.

• Increased lifetime from 50,000 up to 100,000 hours of operation
• LEDs are highly energy efficient. LEDs are capable to reach 140 lumen/Watt
• LEDs transmit very low or negligible amount of heat
• LED is a low carbon technology which is greener than other lighting technologies, since it doesn’t contain any harmful or toxic substances such as mercury (fluorescent lamps). In addition, LEDs neither emit any damaging radiation nor they create an electromagnetic field.

If you are interested in understanding how LEDs can be incorporated on your project/property please contact us on 08450091625 to speak with one of our lighting consultants.

The 1st LED was invented in 1920 by a Russian radio technician called Oleg Vladimirovich Losev. Losev found that diodes used radio receivers emitted light when current passed through them. LEDs are part of our daily life for quite some time now. Mobile phone screens have been lit up by LEDs as well as the on/off switches of electrical appliances.

If you are interested in understanding how LEDs can be incorporated on your project/property please contact 08450091625 to speak with one of our lighting consultants.

The 50,000 hours is translated into 6.5 years of 24 hr lighting, where the return on investment will occur after the first 2 years. For the further 4.5 years there will be a total saving of 45% – 55%.

The other very important parameter that usually is not taken into account, is the replacement cost of light fittings. For example, in 50,000 hours of an LEDs lifetime, would equate to replacing a fluorescent lamp at least 4 times and at hour least 30 times if a halogen lamps were used. This replacement cost is of great importance if you think for example, the maintenance costs that production plants and hotels have in order to do the replacements.

If you are interested in understanding how LEDs can incorporated on your project/property please contact us on 08450091625 to speak to one of our lighting consultants.