Publication

22nd April 2001, The Straits Times

Right Lights for heavy savings

Changing a humble light bulb can mean hefty savings, as UE Square shaves $120,000 off its power bill last year by using low-energy lights. - James Croucher

By SHARMILPAL KAUR

The second biggest energy user after air-conditioning is lighting. Conserve this and savings can be quite substantial.

UE Square, which comprises a shopping mall, offices, residential and service apartments, saved about $120,000 last year by using more efficient, low-energy lights.

Its management replaced about 5,000 of its halogen lamps with energy efficient bulbs, which cut energy use by up to 30 per cent.

This was despite the fact that the new bulbs, at $5.50 each, cost more than twice the price of halogen bulbs.

It cost the company nearly $18,000 more to buy the energy-efficient bulbs but it was worth it.

Operation manager Vincent Lee said: 'The lights now also generate less heat, which lowers the air-con consumption.'

Half the lights for staircases are also turned off after midnight, and only one meeting room can be booked by staff instead of previous four.

Another $180,000 was saved by improving the air-conditioning system and by letting the aircon run at lower speeds in the early mornings.

Said Mr Lee; 'Most of our staff used to complain that it was too cold. Now, they say it is better.'

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