August 24, 2012

The Sydney Opera House committing to recycling fluorescent lights

Filed under: News — Frida @ 2:56 pm

Sydney Opera House lights to be recycledSenator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, presented certificates to the Trust and major NSW-based companies including AusGrid, Essential Energy, Savills Australia and Westpac, in recognition of them joining the national FluoroCycle recycling scheme.

“FluoroCycle has the very important aim of reducing the amount of mercury entering the environment from the disposal of mercury-containing lighting,” Senator Farrell said at the Opera House today.

“Having the Sydney Opera House on board is a huge boost for the scheme. One of the world’s great sights is seeing the Opera House lit up at night. Now, lighting from this landmark building will be recycled and the mercury prevented from entering the environment.”

Senator Farrell said 135 organisations nationally have signed up to the initiative and urged more companies to show the same commitment to protecting the environment.

“Joining FluoroCycle is an ideal way for businesses to do something practical to help the environment,” he said. “The Australian Government’s support of FluoroCycle includes $600,000 in funding for the first three years of the scheme and is part of our commitment to reducing the impact of waste disposal on the environment and improving the efficiency of resource use.”

(Source: Voltimum http://www.voltimum.com.au/news/17724/cm/sydney-opera-house-lights-to-be-recycled.html#.UDb_SsFlQRk)

August 23, 2012

Why are 50W tungsten halogen mirror reflector lamps being phased out?

Filed under: News — Frida @ 4:55 pm

From April 2012, this included an import ban on 50 Watt extra low voltage 12 volt tungsten halogen multifaceted MR16 dichroic reflector lamps. The average measured wattage for these lamps is now required to be no more than 37 Watts. This means 35 Watt and other new technology lamps may still be used.

Why are these lamps not energy efficient?
‘Low voltage’ does not mean low energy. In fact, they consume 50 lamp Watts plus the transformer losses, which are often overlooked because transformers are hidden from view in the ceiling or wall. We also use multiple lamps to illuminate a space.

What are the alternatives?
Light emitting diodes, known as LEDs, are a type of solid-state lighting (SSL). They are energy efficient, have a long life, are immediately at full brightness when switched on, and are not affected by regular on-off switching. A wide variety of styles exist. As many LED products contain exaggerated performance claims, we recommend you look for Lighting Council Australia’s SSL Quality Scheme label.

LEDs or light emitting diodes are highly energy efficient
They have a long life— lasting up to 50 times longer than incandescent lamps and 2 to 5 times longer than fluorescent lamps. This makes them ideal for hard-to-access locations. LEDs aredurable and can withstand vibration and shocks. They are not affected by regular on-off switching, which is good for areas such as bathrooms. In addition, they are at full brightness as soon as they are switched on and many are fully dimmable.

How do LEDs work?
LEDs are a type of solid-state lighting (SSL). They are a type of semiconductor that causes electrons to release energy in the form of photons or light. The colour emitted depends on the materials used to make the LED. They can be red, yellow, blue, green or ‘white’.

SSL Quality Scheme
Lighting Council Australia, the peak body for Australia’s lighting industry, has introduced a quality certification scheme for LEDs. The SSL Quality Scheme is designed to address the problem of exaggerated marketing claims made about some LEDs. The label is intended to provide confidence to buyers that an LED product carrying this SSL Quality Scheme label matches the supplier’s performance claims.

Other alternatives  include:

  • Lower wattage replacement lamps such as 35 Watt MR16 tungsten halogen lamps and a high light output version which uses infrared coating(IRC technology) can offer comparable or even greater light output than low-end 50 Watt versions.
  • New luminaries such as those using a GU10 base 240 volt tungsten halogen reflector lamp are another viable option. However, these are also likely to be phased out in future.

More information about LEDs and the SSL Quality Scheme is at www.lightingcouncil.com.au

 

August 1, 2012

Voltimum – your electrical industry portal

Filed under: Uncategorized — Frida @ 3:14 pm

Voltimum operates in 14 countries and is the leading global portal for the electrical industry with over 360,000 registered users. Voltimum Australia was founded by ABB, HPM Legrand, OSRAM, Gerard Lighting, Prysmian, Eye Lighting and Olex. The company recently launched its web portal in Australia and it can be accessed at www.voltimum.com.au.

Voltimum offers:

  • Product tests where contractors can test and critique the latest products for free.
  • A comprehensive range of online catalogues
  • Online training modules and webinars
  • A virtual technical support team
  • The latest industry news and events

To get access to this website all you need to do is register your details,  once registered you have full access to the website as well as subscription to the fortnightly email newsletter.

Check out Voltimum today

The Future of Queensland’s Solar Market?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Frida @ 1:33 pm

As of recently, the benefit earned by Queenslanders who provide power back to the electricity grid has been slashed from 44c per kilowatt hour to 8c as part of State Government cost-cutting moves.

Just before the deadline solar retailers had put on extra staff, extended their hours and ramped up deals, including discounts and interest-free terms, to cash in on the last-minute frenzy, also being fuelled by increases in power bills.

Although existing owners will retain the higher rebate until 2028, anyone who sells their house with solar panels will lose the 44c/kW rebate and new owners will get the lower rate.

The recent rush for rooftop solar systems will help secure months of work for the industry, but the sector’s 11,000-strong workforce is soon expected to shrink to less than 6500.

Ron Flynn, of Sunshine Coast-based Solaron, said the tariff reduction had pushed people to make a decision they had been “sitting on for years”. Mr Flynn said inquiries were up 300 to 400 per cent and some firms had sold enough business to last 12 months.

Among those to sign up before the tariff change is Bruce Granger, of Sunrise Beach.

Mr Granger had been thinking about installing solar for eight months, but the looming tariff cut had prompted him to commit last week. He bought a 3kW system for about $8000 that he hoped would eliminate his family’s power bills.

“We really wanted to try and reduce our bills, which have risen to about $450 a quarter,” Mr Granger said.

Darren Gladman, of peak industry group the Clean Energy Council, said that at 44c, the state had offered the nation’s greatest incentive. However, he said the steep drop-off in the incentive would see a spike in work and then significant job losses.

 

(Source: Couriermail http://www.couriermail.com.au/money/money-matters/scramble-as-sun-sets-on-queensland-government-solar-power-bonus-scheme/story-fn3hskur-1226420576893)

Ampere’s Ceiling Light Guard

Filed under: Uncategorized — Frida @ 10:57 am

A better way to install downlights, minimise ceiling fire hazards and meet building regulations!

QUICKER
A straightforward, practical design coupled with hi-tech materials makes Ceiling Light Guards (CLGs) easy to install in any application. Unlike other guards and transformer housings, CLGs can be completely surrounded by insulation and can be fitted hard up against ceiling joists and hangers making installation in tight spaces a breeze. There’s even provision to fit the transformer on top of the CLG, so there’s no need for additional mounts or insulation. Installation is fast and easy. You simply slip the CLG over the downlight, rout your cables, and fix it in place. It’s that simple. With no clips, no aligning and twisting – you just fix the tabs to the ceiling – CLGs can be installed fast, so you cut down on labour. With Ceiling Light Guards you save time, save money, and get the job done quickly, simply and safely.

SAFER
Ceiling Light Guards high-tech materials make it a highly efficient barrier against heat transfer to surrounding areas. While other guards completely enclose the light fitting, CLGs have an open top design that funnels heat away from the fitting reducing the chance of overheating and potential fire risks. The result is a ceiling light guard that fully complies with AS/NZS3100-Clauses 5.7, 6.3, 8.12, meets safe codes of practice in fire control regulations, and reduces the risks associated with unprotected downlights.

SMARTER
Easy to install, fast, efficient and cost-effective, CLGs are the answer to downlight safety and regulatory compliance. So don’t waste time… make sure you use Ceiling Light Guards.

ADVANTAGES

  • CLGs superior materials allow the guard to be installed hard up against joists and hangers making installation in tight areas a breeze.
  • 155m tall CLGs provide protection with all forms of insulation: blow-in wool/paper, fibreglass, polystyrene or sisalation.

For more information please contact your local Rexel branch today!

Osram Decoflex

Filed under: Uncategorized — Frida @ 10:51 am

Osram Decoflex Lights light up any area in your room!

Now you can create professional lighting effects in any room in your home – in white and even in colour. And every lighting scenario can be operated by remote control. Installation is child’s play. Simply cut to length, fix in place with the integ rated adhesive strip, stand back and admire! It will even go round corners and over curved surfaces.

All the benefits of innovative LED luminaires: choice of numerous colours, economical, durable and ready for use in no time at all thanks to Plug & Play.  If necessary it can be cut to any size extended to an overall length of around 3M.

 

Buy the Osram Decoflex online NOW!