| Select the Right Partner
In response to continuing political and economic emphasis on energy efficiency, many new companies have entered the energy services marketplace. And, because lighting represents the most quantifiable savings and attractive investment returns, the number of companies selling efficient lighting products and services has grown tremendously. As a result, as you pursue your energy efficient lighting strategy, you need to be certain that you select a design and build lighting firm rather than just a company calling themselves a “turn-key” lighting provider that just packages fixtures and installation. |
Look for:
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| Be Wary of Sole Source Fixture Providers
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Understand the Products You’re Being Offered
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Expect a Comprehensive Proposal
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Involve Key Stakeholders from the Start
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Start with a Professional AuditIt’s impossible to engineer a lighting retrofit solution without a comprehensive audit! The adage ‘Garbage In, Garbage Out’ is very applicable to every lighting retrofit. A good audit is much more than just counting fixtures, and should allow your lighting partner to simulate your facility environment based on an exhaustive collection of data. Any retrofit recommendation not based on an attentive and detailed audit is highly suspect. An inadequate audit not only fails to provide the greatest opportunity for energy savings—it can cost you down the road in change orders and system modifications, increased maintenance and productivity. |
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Don’t Let Budget Hurdles Slow You DownMany lighting retrofit projects can be initiated with little or no money down. In fact, experienced and knowledgeable lighting partners always explore obtaining immediate cash payments from state or utility rebate providers, providing for their customers to be significantly cash positive from day one! Another method that qualified lighting partners provide for immediate positive cashstream is financing a project such that fixed monthly payments are significantly less than energy savings. Alternatively, sophisticated lighting partners provide a guaranteed savings mechanism based on sub-metered lighting panels and may offer a true shared savings plan, in which no fixed payments are required and the only payments you make are based on measured and verified energy savings. Simply put, postponing a retrofit is a terrible waste of money. With the right partner to guide you through your financial options, you will have few, if any, hurdles to both an improved lighting system and financial gain. |
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