Fluorescent sign lighting is un-sustainable

Continuing our commitment to sustainable design, we talk about the issues associated with fluorescent tube lighting in signage and the benefits of switching to ECA compliant LED's.

Retailers have now started to realise what engineers have known for years, that conventional fluorescent tube lighting is un-sustainable.

Fluorescent lighting not only wastes large amounts of energy, tubes create hazardous waste and require regular maintenance within signs which amounts to large regular expense and operating costs for businesses across the UK and worldwide. As featured on our photograph above of an existing MFI out of town retail flexface sign, a common feature with signs illuminated with fluorescent lighting is the failure of several tubes and electrical gear which creates a damming brand identity, especially for retailers who are trying to compete with rival stores. We think most retailers would agree with us that a partially lit sign hardly represents the brand with a positive identity.

With advancement in LED technology it is now cost effective to switch over to ECA compliant LED technology, even on large light box signs which are evident on out of town retail parks across the nation. Many of the UK's leading retailers are already using the technology in conjunction which enhanced capital allowances which are now available via The Carbon Trust. The ECA scheme allows retailers to claim back 28% of their investment in year one versus typical capital expenditure which helps deliver a payback  in some cases of less than 12 months dependant on the sign configuration.

At Evolve Group we have independant LED testing facilities and provide ROI calculations to leading UK retailers to help them decide the best technology to choose.

Advantages of ECA compliant LED illumination:

• Claim back 28% of investment in year 1
• 50,000 hours life
• Super bright and consistent illumination
• Excellent brand representation
• Zero Maintenance
• 5 year warranty

To give one example, we tested the running costs of a standard light box for a leading retailer at 12,000mm x 4,500mm. This delivered staggering results when comparing the energy consumptions:

Fluorescent Light Box - £3949.00 per annum | ECA compliant LED Light Box - £77.60 per annum

This delivered a saving per annum on one sign of £3871.00 and saves 16647 Kg of CO2 emissions!

Retailers tell us that the conversion to ECA compliant LED's is "a no brainer" and they plan to also re-brand their stores at the same time as the conversion at no additional expense.

Converting to ECA compliant LED's is yet another way to reduce your carbon footprint.

For further information, please contact our sales team on 01942 272330 to arrange your return on investment calculation.

http://www.evolvegroup.co.uk

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