Delamping with LED Lighting-A Strategy to Save Energy Costs

Building owners are always looking for an efficient way to reduce costs in their facilities come budget time. The following strategy is a great way to get the cost savings they are looking for while also modernizing the lighting system in their respective building. 

 De-lamping, or the replacement of two fluorescent tubes with one LED tube, is gaining popularity among business owners because it greatly diminishes the operating cost for owners and, in many cases, reduces the payback period for an LED retrofit to as little as one year.

My friends at Independence LED Lighting offer up an example of de-lamping-converting a 2’x4’ office troffer containing four, 32 watt 4’, T8 fluorescent tubes to an LED Retrofit Kit consisting of two, 4’, 22 watt tubes powered by one external driver. This reduces the total fixture wattage from 128 watts to 44 watts, resulting in a 66% lighting savings.  LED retrofit products that are DLC listed and qualify for rebates with major energy providers, can also reduce the payback period and increase ROI.

GET, LLC, through our friends at Independence LED has installed "American-Made" retrofit kits in the commercial and industrial, warehousing, educational, parking garages, hospitality and multi-family residential markets. Independence LED CEO Charles Szoradi says that the key an LED De-Lamping strategy is based on our ability to use one high output tube to replace two existing fluorescent tubes or a pair of imported tubes.

"Since our tube systems are modular, coming in a selection of wattages and lengths, we can de-lamp just about any fixture configuration," said Szoradi. "Our deep fin aluminium heart sinks and external driver technology enables one of our LED tubes to do the work of two alternative options.”

When performing an LED retrofit, it is important to evaluate the fixture retrofit cost, and not just the tube cost. Four $35 imported Chinese tubes to replace four 32 watt fluorescent tubes may seem to be a less expensive solution than $68 US Made LED tubes.  However, buyers have to take the cost per unit off the table and look at the fixture retrofit cost. 4 x $35 = $140 while 2 x $68 = $136.  The value is in the FIXTURE retrofit cost and not the tube cost. Plus the US made tubes, including those by Independence LED, consume less electricity and have a 10 year warranty versus the imported tubes that often cap out at five years.

De-lamping’s ability to reduce the overall fixture retrofit cost, lower lighting electricity costs, and achieve greater performance has made it increasingly popular among business owners in the private and public sector.

To learn more about the lighting products that GET, LLC provides, including the LED lines of our partners, Independence LED Lighting and Deco Lighting Inc., please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us to discuss solutions for your important energy efficient lighting needs-All Made in America!!!

Carrier Wi-Fi Sales to Eclipse $8.5 Billion Over Next Five Years

The Campbell, California-based Infonetics Research recently released a Carrier Wi-Fi Equipment report.  The annual report tracks Wi-Fi equipment deployed by operators in public spaces for wireless internet access.  When you are trusted by the largest communications equipment companies, service providers, chip makers and Wall Street, almost anything you say be certain that people listen-including GET, LLC.

Infonetics Research says that over the five years from 2013 to 2017, operators will spend a cumulative $8.5 billion on Carrier Wi-Fi equipment, led by mobile operators using Carrier Wi-Fi for data offload.

“This strong growth will gain additional impetus from the proliferation of small cells with integrated Wi-Fi over the coming years," said Directing Analyst for Microwave and Carrier Wi-Fi at Infonetics Research Richard Webb.

According to the research, globally, revenue for Carrier Wi-Fi equipment, including wireless access points and Wi-Fi hotspot controllers, totaled $338 million in the first half of 2013. Carrier Wi-Fi revenue has already surpassed 2/3 of total revenue for the prior year, says Infonetics. The majority of carrier Wi-Fi access points are also Wi-Fi hotspots, notes the report.

The Infonetics report noted that North America has consistently dominated Carrier Wi-Fi revenue share since 2007.  They expect that by 2017, a regional share shift to Asia Pacific and EMEA is expected in this marketplace. As the Carrier Wi-Fi market evolves and more operators launch Carrier Wi-Fi services, Infonetics says fluctuations in vendors' market share, with the top 5 positions -- currently held by Cisco, Ericsson, Huawei, Ruckus, and Alcatel-Lucent -- potentially shuffled.

Infonetics’ Carrier Wi-Fi report provides worldwide and regional market size, market share, forecasts through 2017, analysis, and trends for Wi-Fi hotspot controllers and Wi-Fi-only and dual-mode cellular/Wi-Fi access points. The report includes carrier Wi-Fi vendor announcements and customer wins. Vendors tracked include Airspan, Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Aruba Networks, Edgewater Wireless, Ericsson (BelAir Networks), Huawei, Motorola Solutions, NSN, Ruckus Wireless, and others.

For all of your structured cabling needs in the Western Pacific, please contact GET, LLC for information on the solutions that can be of assistance to you and your respective businesses including access to the Panduit and Cisco line of products-of which we are proud Business Partners of both.  Give us a call at 671-483-0789 or find out our more at our website at  www.get-guam.com.

Guam Buildup and Won Pat Airport Expansion Top Discussion at First GCA Meeting of 2014

The Calvo Administration is headlining the first meeting of 2014 of the Guam Contractors Association (GCA).  The January Meeting at the Westin Resort Guam will feature Guam Military Buildup Director Mark Calvo and Guam International Airport Authority Executive Manager Chuck Ada.  Calvo will focus on military construction projects earmarked for 2014 as outlined in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act while Ada will use his time to talk about 22 Capital Improvement Projects that Guam's only civilian airport is rolling out over the next few weeks.

This speaking event comes at a time when the realization of limited funds in the coming years is kicking in and promises of construction growth are not materializing.  For Calvo and Ada, I am confident that they will articulate the progress on the mass amounts of public works projects set to hit the largest island in the Marianas Archipelago over the next 12 months.  But I am not convinced that many in the room will have the similar confidence that they will all be let by December.  It is an election year in Guam and the political rhetoric is in high gear. Discussion of construction is an election year tactic of showing progress and economic activity-only the incumbent can enjoy the benefit of this with potential voters and the vast number of donors that will be in the room.  

The GCA is always a target rich environment and will be a strong voice in this year's election.

Also, we are all seeing lean times and project competition is heating up.  With the Base Operations Support Contract in its final option year and a new BOS contract being bid and couple that with NAVFAC Marianas expected to rebid all the Multiple Award Construction Contracts this summer and you have a recipe for many movements and teaming agreements to grab the limited federal dollar.  Gov Guam will attract those wanting to do business with Gov Guam-the autonomous agencies the only real money on the streets that will certainly pay on time. 

The January 15, 2014 meeting is set for 11:30am local time and according to GCA President James Martinez, "we wanted to start the new year on a positive note".  Though it may not seem that GET, LLC is excited about this particular monthly meeting of the GCA, we are cautiously optimistic and look forward to listening in.

Phasechange-A View Into Reducing HVAC Equipment Capacities and Maintenance Costs

The use of phase change materials is picking up interest across America as a strategy to reduce energy costs that is in line with a lighting retrofit and utilization of a building automation controls system.  With its nearest competitors about three years away from the gains enjoyed today by the North Carolina-based Phase Change Energy Solutions, this team is poised for a banner year in 2014.  As we rely more and more on our Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems to maintain building comfort, using Phase Change's BioPCM product is a logical step to reduce HVAC utilization and maintenance of those mechanical systems.

Depending on the internal loads, orientation and controls strategy, BioPCM can significantly reduce cooling.  For example, a zone with BioPCM properly designed into it might have a 35% reduction in peak cooling load and a 26% reduction of peak heating load. An engineer could actually downsize equipment accordingly and still meet American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidelines.  By "right sizing" HVAC design based on the calculated loads with BioPCM, not only will a building owner save on energy operating costs, but also on the initial HVAC capital costs.

According to the ASHRAE owning and operating costs database, the average building HVAC maintenance cost is $0.50 per square foot. Considering that the average building spends $0.46 on HVAC energy per square foot annually, the cost of HVAC maintenance is on par with the cost of HVAC energy usage itself. BioPCM reduces HVAC run-time.  This reduced HVAC system run time will not eliminate HVAC maintenance costs, but can reduce them significantly.  As an initial estimate, it can be assumed that the reduction in HVAC maintenance costs will be directly proportional to the reduction of HVAC system run-time.  For example, if a 68,000 square foot office building has an annual HVAC maintenance cost of $34,000 ($0.50/Square foot/Year) and BioPCM reduced HVAC run-time by an average of 23%, then the use of BioPCM would reduce annual HVAC maintenance costs by an estimated  $7,800.   

It is pretty clear that BioPCM reduces both peak cooling and heating design loads as well as reduces HVAC system run time. The reduction of peak design loads provides opportunity for designers to reduce capacities or in some cases entirely remove cooling and or heating systems. Reduced HVAC system run time reduces maintenance and extends system lifetime.

Want to try this in your building?  To find out more about how GET, LLC through, our metal building partner MCR Guam Inc.-and licensed Phase Change Energy Solutions partner, can help you get this thermal mass product give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information. By the way-get up to 19 LEED Points with Phase Change BioPCM in your next project.

Hawaiian Power Outage Caused by Genie Lift Touching Power Lines-Aerial Lift Safety Reminder

Normally this blog keys on a major issue related to the business of GET, LLC. 

Something completely different here. 

The Maui News is reporting that earlier today, two power lines in Kahului burned and fell to the ground after coming in contact with a Genie Lift.  According to the Maui Electric Company, the downed lines on Hobron Avenue cut power to about 60 customers and traffic signals in the area at 2:41 p.m. local time.

The Maui Police Department said the power outage affected a number of traffic lights on Hana Highway from Hobron Avenue to Haleakala Highway. Police officers were stationed at Hana Highway intersections with Kamehameha and Hobron avenues and traffic was light and with limited traffic delays.

There were no injuries or accidents as a result of the power outage.  Power was restored to the area about two hours later.

From one island to another, now is a good time to remind you all of how to protect yourself when using an aerial lift.  Ever see the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Quick Card?

Things that could have prevented the accident in Maui and can help you when using an aerial lift on a jobsite where ever in the world you are:

• Make sure that workers who operate aerial lifts are properly trained in the safe use of the equipment.
• Maintain and operate elevating work platforms according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Never override hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical safety devices.
• Never move the equipment with workers in an elevated platform unless this is permitted by the manufacturer.
• Do not allow workers to position themselves between overhead hazards, such as joists and beams, and the rails of the basket.
• Maintain a minimum clearance of at least 10 feet, or 3 meters, away from the nearest energized overhead lines.
• Always treat power lines, wires and other conductors as energized, even if they are down or appear to be insulated.
• Use a body harness or restraining belt with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket to prevent the worker(s) from being ejected or pulled from the basket.
• Set the brakes and use wheel chocks when on an incline.
• Use outriggers, if provided.
• Do not exceed the load limits of the equipment-Allow for the combined weight of the worker, tools and materials.

GET, LLC is committed to providing responsible information to avoid and or prevent accidents like the one that happened in Maui today.  We all should do our part to be safe on the jobsite. If you have any aerial lift needs and would like to discuss potential solutions, please drop GET, LLC a line via our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-797-0789.

Guam-A Different Perspective

June 26, 1998.  It was a day that I remember very well.  He asked me the week previous to grab coffee at a neighborhood eatery during one of his many visits to the island for a respite from the fast paced life he was living in Fairfax, Virginia.  The visits were therapy for a man who had traveled the world many times over and at this particular time, his visits to Guam were to see his grandchildren far removed-five time zones to be exact-and to be with his siblings and other close relatives and friends.  This was an invitation that I was not used to. But it was the start of what would be over the next 15 years a series of fascinating reunions and talks that would remind me of my heritage and our collective love of our island paradise of Guam. 

We started this particular talk with the usual, "Hafa Adai".  This time the talk followed with no explanation of the possible origin of the expression.  If I wasn't listening to the previous lectures on the traditional Chamorro greeting by the then 69-year old survivor of World War II occupied Guam, I may have been witness to yet another installment of the history of our island from his perspective.  Not this time.

The two of us grabbed our coffee and sat in the corner of this particular Harmon establishment.  He told me that he wanted to give me something.  From a paper lined bag, he brandished a gold covered book.  The cover prominently featured his portrait, the flags representative of our identities as Americans and Native Chamorro and two island landmarks- Two Lovers Point and "Pleasure Island".

"Thank you", he remarked.  His voice, reminiscent of the famed actor Sean Connery, was upbeat.  I remember how puzzled I was with the statement at the time. He asked me to open the book to page 131. The storyteller revealed to me that it was our relationship that inspired him to write this particular portion of the book and that it was his way of expressing how very proud he was of me and my accomplishments to that date. 

It reads:

"...in historical times, there has always been an element of diversity on Guam.  During the Spanish Era, Spaniards and Filipinos settled here. But there was also a contingent of Carolinians, and the name, Tamuning, is a vestige of their presence.  In 1940, the population included 39 Japanese, two Chinese, 13 Spaniards, two Germans, 32 Filipinos, and 73 non-military American residents.  Among them, they had more than  600 children who were part Chamorro, judged along genetic lines.  For the Chamorro people, however, those children were fully Chamorro. This blending with and acceptance of other people is reflected in names that are common today on Guam: Antonio Yamashita, Brian Gumataotao, Jose O'Brian, Manuel Chang, Gordon Garrido, and George Scharf, among many others."

"You are the Brian Gumataotao," the author remarked. "If I would have placed your name, people would have asked why you and not others whom I had known for the nearly seven decades of my life."

I was honored for the reference and his explanation.  We talked further about my wife and children.  He asked me how life at home was and our kindred spirits spent what seemed like days talking about the similarities between my kids and his grandchildren whom he adored.  Just before we parted ways, he grabbed the book back and made an inscription. He then shook my hand, gave me a hug and with a smile said, "...good-bye."  We would repeat this many times over the next decade and a half. 

I write this as I got word just hours before this blog post that this great island leader and decorated war veteran passed away. Initially, I was saddened.  But, the news reminded me of his stories and his writings-that gold covered book sitting to the right of my computer.

A T.S. Elliott quote, used in the introduction to one of his books, sums up my memory of Ben Blaz:

"We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time."

Thanks General for your friendship and may the angels lead you into that special place in the sun.

$53 Billion Energy Efficient Lighting Market in 2015

Dallas, Texas-based Markets and Markets issued a report this week that the global solid state and other energy efficient lighting systems market is expected to grow from $28,248.7 million in 2010 to $53,469.5 million in 2015-reflecting an estimated Compound Annual Growth Rate of 9.7% in the five year period.  The market research company and consulting firm noted in their report titled "Solid State and Other Energy Efficient Lighting Systems, Application and Market Trends (2010-2015)" that the increasing demand for energy-saving and environment-friendly lighting technology is driving the growth of the global solid state and other energy efficient lighting systems market.

  

Of note, compact fluorescent lamps command the largest share in terms of revenues in the respective market segment, while light emitting diodes (LED) is the second largest market due to what Markets and Markets attributes to the globally increasing demand for energy efficient lighting.  LED lighting has also gained much more attention due to a shift of the focus of governments’ worldwide towards protection of the planet from global warming. While LED lighting contributed about 31.2% to the global solid state and other energy efficient lighting systems market revenues in 2010, the organic light emitting diode market is expected to grow to 44% by 2015.

GET, LLC was encouraged by the news that the U.S offers the most lucrative of markets for solid state and energy efficient lighting manufacturers as it is to grow 10.7% by next year. The Asia Pacific region-where this blogger is currently sitting-is the largest market in the world and has 44.7% share of the global market revenues. Europe comes second in revenues.

Markets and Markets says that industry participants with the most significant product developments include Philips, Osram, General Electric, Nichia, Cree and Samsung and that major players also differ from one technology to other.   The report says that Philips, Osram, and General Electric are the largest players in CFL market. However, in light emitting diode market, Nichia, Osram, Lumileds, Cree, and Samsung are the largest players.  There are other lighting manufacturers whose products are on the rise in use in buildings across the globe-let's keep a close eye on them to as they will certainly bring value to the marketplaces where they are in.

                                                                                                                                

To learn more about the lighting products that GET, LLC provides, including the LED lines of our partners, Independence LED Lighting and Deco Lighting Inc., please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us to discuss solutions for your important lighting needs-All Made in America!!!