4 Tips on Buying CFLs for Your Business | GreenerBuildings.com

In this tight economy, businesses are increasingly looking for ways to cut operational expenses and provide service to their customers. One area that offers opportunities to save now is lighting for your offices and buildings.

Starting in January 2012, all lamp technology sold in the U.S., including both incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) will be required to meet efficiency requirements set by the Energy Independence Security Act.

Currently most incandescent bulbs do not meet these requirements leaving room for the growing CFL market to brighten. A money-saving and environmentally friendly way to do so is to start to convert your building's lighting to CFLs.
According to Energy Star, each CFL bulb installed saves an average of $5.41 in energy costs, 51 kilowatt hours and 78 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The number of CFL shipments has grown tremendously from 21 million lamps in 2000 to 397 million lamps in 2007.

Below are some tips from testing and certification organization CSA International on what to look for when purchasing CFLs:

1. Choose only a CFL that is certified by a nationally recognized testing and certification organization to ensure it has been tested and certified to the applicable standards for safety and performance. A certification mark should appear on both the product and the packaging.

2. Choose an Energy Star qualified CFL to ensure it will provide the greatest amount of energy savings. Energy Star Qualified CFLs also have a minimum two-year warranty.

3. Choose the bulb that best suits the fixture. CFLs with globes are available in various sizes and shapes to fit most fixtures. They look similar to traditional incandescent bulbs and may look better in fixtures with exposed bulbs.

4. Determine how much light is needed. Check you fixture to ensure the light is the proper size and wattage. Light output is described as "brightness" and is measured in lumens.

The chart below shows the energy use in watts of an incandescent light compared to the energy use of a standard CFL for the same amount of brightness.

Subject: 2008 NEC and the Rehab Subcode

Subject: 2008 NEC and the Rehab Subcode 

Updating the Rehabilitation Subcode to the NEC/2008 has been delayed. Therefore, the Department is hereby reminding all code users that any work done in an existing building or dwelling continues to be required to comply with the NEC/2005, which is referenced in the rehabilitation subcode, materials and methods, N.J.A.C. 5:23- 6.8(d).

For example, when an existing service panel is changed or upgraded, no AFCI is required. However, an addition to an existing building is new construction. The addition only is required to comply with the 2008 NEC. Work in the existing building continues to be required to comply with NEC/2005. For dwelling units, AFCI for the addition will be required only if a new branch circuit is provided. It is important to remember that existing circuits in the existing dwelling may continue to be used.

Finally, if a permit applicant chooses to use the 2008 NEC, guidance is included in the Fall 2009 edition of the Construction Code Communicator.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Borek

Code Specialist

Grace period for previously adopted electrical code

On April 6, 2009, the State of NJ has adopted the National Electrical Code/2008 as the electrical subcode. As per N.J.A.C. 5:23-1.6, Grace period, for a period of six months following the operative date of a subcode revision, applicants may submit a complete permit application, including all prior approvals, to be reviewed under the code in force immediately preceding the subcode revision.
Provided that the application is complete, the construction official and applicable subcode officials shall perform the plan review and issue construction permit(s) based on the code in force immediately prior to the operative date of the subcode revision. This grace period shall apply only to revisions of subcodes.
Therefore, if an applicant would like to use the previously adopted electrical code, the National Electrical Code/2005, he or she must indicate which code they are using at the time of application. This complete permit application must be submitted prior to October 6, 2009.
Source: Code Assistance Unit
(609) 984-7609

Energy-Efficient Lighting Saves Canadian Tire $6M in 2009 · Environmental Leader · Green Business, Sustainable Business, and Green Strategy News for Corporate Sustainability Executives

Energy-Efficient Lighting Saves Canadian Tire $6M in 2009 · Environmental Leader · Green Business, Sustainable Business, and Green Strategy News for Corporate Sustainability Executives

All New Office Depots to be Built to Energy Efficient, LEED Standards

All New Office Depots to be Built to Energy Efficient, LEED Standards

Home Depot looks to add businesses to its parking lots - Sacramento Business, Housing Market News | Sacramento Bee

Home Depot looks to add businesses to its parking lots

 Fast-food restaurants, banks or auto-parts stores are the most likely businesses that will pop up on those oceans of asphalt that are no longer practical, said Mike LaFerle, vice president of real estate and construction for the company.

 

Thinking about a solar energy system for your business? Here's some good news.

Thinking about a solar energy system for your business?

Here's some good news.

PSE&G has set aside millions of dollars to help finance the installation of solar power systems for residents, businesses, and organizations throughout our electric service area.
And that means you may be eligible for a loan from PSE&G that can help finance 40% – 60% of your qualified solar power installation.
What’s more, unlike other loans, you can elect to have the Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) your solar electric system generates to pay back your loan.
PSE&G will guarantee a fixed minimum price for the SRECs applied towards the repayment of your loan. If SREC market prices are higher than the floor price, PSE&G will credit your loan at the higher price. You get the safety of a floor price and the upside potential of higher SREC prices.
FACT: While SREC prices may seem high now, there is no guarantee on where they will be in 2, 5, or 10 years. If you lock in your SREC prices with PSE&G you can benefit from higher prices and have the security of a floor price.
PSE&G has simplified and improved the loan approval and closing process. It’s now easier than ever to get a Solar Loan.
It’s all part of PSE&G’s continuing efforts to encourage the development and installation of clean, renewable energy technologies throughout New Jersey.

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Low Cost, Long Life LED Light Bulbs

Switching to more efficient, longer-lasting light bulbs may not seem to be that much of a big deal. Yet in reality it is. The important factors that we need to consider in this context is that the net effects resulting from enormous numbers of small things; which when added up, tend to completely swamp the overall effects of a few big changes.

The Benefits

Instant Illumination – Unlike the current crop of eco-bulbs these new LED bulbs fully illuminate instantly
Flicker-Free – The new LEDs do not flicker. Flickering light bulbs; especially subliminal flicker, which has for quite some time now been closely linked to or the causative of migraine headaches and epileptic seizures
Long Life – The new LED light bulbs are rated as having an average working life of 100,000 hours (over 60 years of normal use) which is 10 times that of the current generation of eco-friendly light bulbs.
Improved Efficiency – These new bulbs are 12 times more efficient than tungsten bulbs and three times more efficient than current fluorescent bulbs.
No Mercury – The new bulbs are totally mercury free; which is an environmental benefit of considerable significance. It also makes their eventual disposal far less damaging to the environment.
Fiscal Savings – This lighting technology could conservatively slash the average household’s lighting bill by up to three-quarters. Business

on the other hand could expect to reap lighting bill savings in excess of 20% of their current lighting expenditure. It is estimated that the retail price of these new LEDs will be around $2 per unit.