Aetna Now Offers Energy-Efficient LED-based Solution for Warehouses and Cold Storage Facilities
Aetna’s Energy Efficient Intelligent Lighting System
Aetna Corp. now offers its warehouse and industrial customers the LED-based Intelligent System from Digital Lumens. Specifically optimized for highbay aisle applications in both cold and dry facilities, the system integrates high-performance LEDs (light-emitting diodes), networking, and software to reduce customers’ energy usage by up to 90%. The Intelligent Lighting System is designed for retrofits and new construction, and replaces HID and fluorescent fixtures previously used in warehousing and cold storage industries. Unlike the traditional 465-Watt HID fixtures, the system operates at 166 Watts when on at full brightness, and improves light levels over the old systems.
The wireless communication capability of the new Intelligent Lighting System is both a key differentiator in industrial lighting and a major contributing factor to increased energy efficiency. With wireless communication, Aetna’s customers can control light levels in warehouses remotely, dimming or shutting off lights within seconds of an aisle being vacated, and/or monitoring overall lighting usage from any computer.
Large Facilities in Prime Position to Benefit from New Energy-Efficient LED Lighting Solutions
Energy-efficient LED-based lighting solutions are fast becoming the industry standard, thanks to new technology and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT). Large facilities such as warehouses and cold storage units are in a position to benefit most because of their size and simple design. According to Charles Goulding, president of Energy Tax Savers, Inc., “warehouses are becoming the breakout category for tax-enhanced energy-efficient design. Warehouses are taking the lead in energy-efficient design because they are large, simple spaces where significant energy and tax savings are easily achievable by installing current generation lighting, heating and other energy-efficient building measures.” (www.energytaxsavers.com)
The specifics of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT)
EPACT provides tax rebates of up to $.60 per square foot for qualified lighting enhancements. The rebate increases to a maximum of $1.80 per square foot if two conservation measures are implemented that together reduce energy usage 50% below the wattage per square foot allowable for a facility*. Upgrading to LED fixtures will in most cases provide a 40% reduction in wattage. A second improvement to either the HVAC systems or the building envelope can yield the additional 10% reduction in watts/sq. ft required for the maximum tax credit. What does this mean for a 500,000 square foot warehouse? If the required single-source efficiencies are maximized through lighting, a tax credit is available for up to $300,000. Implementing a second measure (to the HVAC system or building envelope) can triple the tax credit to $900,000.
“We predict that our customers will see dramatic energy savings from the adoption of updated lighting solutions. And to make it easy for our customers to maximize their tax credit, Aetna Corp. offers a single package that bundles lighting upgrades with a second energy efficient measure, for one-stop shopping,” said Charles Occhino, Vice President of Aetna Lighting. “With the energy savings and maintenance reductions from the LED fixtures, combined with the current available tax rebates, we project a 1-3 year investment payback.”
For more information regarding Aetna’s Intelligent Lighting System, contact Tim Schneider at tschneider@aetnalighting.com.
* According to ASHREA 90.1 2001 regulation
