CONVERTED FROM A GRADE II LISTED ORPHANAGE
The Reeds development is a stunning residential scheme of 130 luxury apartments located close to Watford Junction Station.
Brief
Despite the very high standard of the development, residents and their property managers at The Reeds had become increasingly concerned that their lighting had become outdated and now posed a potential risk to health and safety. Maintenance costs were exorbitant and the failing system was no longer fit for purpose. The client was also holding a quotation running into thousands of pounds for urgent emergency lighting repairs that were needed to bring the entire system up to current requirements.
The maintenance team had done their best to repair the system but the task was never ending, so property managers FW Gapp contacted Future Lighting for help. We promptly arranged a survey and supplied an analysis of the existing lighting systems.
Problems Identified were:
• High wattage lighting with associated high running costs
• Poor means of control
• Many failed units resulting in a poorly maintained feel
• Failing emergency lighting installation
• Mix of lamp types and poor colour matching
As a result, we proposed a direct replacement LED fitting with integral occupancy and light level detection and were delighted to be commissioned to help design and build a new, energy-efficient lighting scheme to replace the existing installation while still complementing the original design of the building.
The first steps were to build a custom-made system and provide a free trial. Residents were given the opportunity to look at the proposed installation and choose a preferred colour. Warm white 3000k was chosen and the new design began to take shape.
Challenges included:
• Utilisation of the existing wiring to prevent major cosmetic damage
• Designing a lighting scheme that would complement rather than detract from the original design of the building
• Avoiding disruption to the car park, residents and their visitors
The Future Lighting Solution
Internal Areas
• Removal of all existing fittings
• Direct replacement with 14W LED fittings complete with integral occupancy detectors and emergency facility
• Removal of all existing outdated control methods
Underground Car Park
• Removal of all existing 140watt fittings
• Direct replacement with 18W LED fittings and emergency facility
• Removal of all existing outdated control methods
Lighting for the 11-Block and 200+ space car park was completed in less than three weeks without disruption to the building, its internal or external decor and with no impact on residents.
New LED lights pay for themselves with the money saved each year
The savings made are hefty. The lighting upgrade totalled £60,000 and will reduce energy costs from £16,000 to approximately £1,300 per annum. Both FW Gapp Property Management and The Reeds residents were delighted to discover that their return on investment (ROI) will only be 39 months. In addition, Future Lighting has given a five-year guarantee on the refurbishment and FREE on-going maintenance.
Building type: residential block & car park
Number of dwellings: 130
Technology: LED & controls
ROI: 39 MONTHS
CO2 saved (T): 268
Money saved: £15,200 pa
