This webtool has been developed by the ACT Government in partnership with the Canberra Business Chamber to provide basic advice about improving the lighting efficiency of your business.
Based on the information supplied, feedback will include the types of lights that are suitable to replace the existing ones, approximate upgrade costs, estimated electricity savings and the rough time it will take for your upgrades to pay for themselves.
This webtool advises like-for-like lighting replacement only. For example, replacing linear fluorescent tubes with LED tubes or panels, or upgrading halogen downlights with LED downlights. The webtool is unable to provide advice on the replacement of one type of lighting with another type, for example the replacement of linear fluorescent tubes with LED downlights.
Electricity savings (kWh) are based on the difference between wattage of the new fitting and the old fitting, multiplied by the number of hours per week, multiplied by 52 weeks per year. Annual electricity savings ($) are determined by multiplying kilowatt-hour savings by the electricity cost.
All information provided by the webtool is indicative only. It is intended to assist in determining if further investigation into an upgrade is worthwhile. It is not a replacement for professional advice on lighting upgrades.
Use of this webtool is subject to you accepting the Access Canberra Terms and Conditions and the EPSDD Terms and Conditions below.
The Lighting Efficiency Webtool (the Webtool) provides information for businesses in the ACT wishing to save money by upgrading inefficient lighting to efficient LED lighting. The Webtool has been developed to provide basic information only, such as the types of lights that are available to replace the existing lights, approximate lighting upgrade costs, estimated electricity savings and simple payback times. It is intended to provide indicative lighting types and potential savings to determine if further investigation into an upgrade is worthwhile. It is not intended to replace professional advice on lighting and it is recommended to consult a lighting professional for technological and costing advice.
While we make every effort to ensure that the information on this site is accurate and up to date we accept no responsibility whether expressed or implied for the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information. The information provided on the Webtool may be in the form of summaries and generalisations, and may omit detail that could be significant in a particular context, or to particular persons. They are estimates only. Before relying on the material you should independently check its relevance for your purposes, and obtain any appropriate professional advice.
Business Information
The business name is used when generating the report which can be downloaded as a PDF file at the end of the Webtool. EPSDD use your employee numbers to determine your eligibility for the Business Energy and Water Program which provides rebates to small business to upgrade inefficient equipment, including lighting. EPSDD may use your email address to contact you regarding this program. For further information see below.
Pricing supply and installation costs of the standard lighting used in the Webtool are based on the average costs for similar lighting observed in the Business Energy and Water Program. Actual pricing may differ. The cost for hire of equipment to replace lighting in hard to access areas (such as hi-bay lighting in warehouses or in high ceiling buildings) is excluded from these calculations.
Calculations
Electricity savings (kWh) are based on the difference between wattage of the new fitting and the old fitting multiplied by the number of hours per week multiplied by 52 weeks per year. Annual electricity savings ($) are determined by multiplying the kilowatt-hour savings by the electricity cost. kWh savings = [(wattageEXISTING LIGHTS – wattageNEW LIGHTS) x hours per week used x 52] ÷ 1000. eg: a 1,200mm, 36W fluorescent lamp with a 10W ballast is replaced with an 18W LED tube in a business that runs for 40 hours per week. kWh savings = [((36 + 10) – 18) x 40 x 52] ÷ 1000 = 58.24 kWh per year electricity savings. Annual electricity savings ($) = kWh savings x electricity costs ($). Eg: from the example above, 58.24 kWh per year savings at $0.22/kWh. Annual Electricity Savings = 58.24 x $0.22 = $12.81 per year savings.
Simple packback times are calculated by dividing the cost of the upgrade by the estimated dollar savings and are conservative in their estimates insofar as they exclude electricity price increases and reduced maintenance on lighting. Simple payback (years) = Cost of Upgrade ($) ÷ Annual Electricity Savings ($). Eg: from the example above, the upgrade cost $65 providing $12.81 per year in electricity savings. Payback time = $65 ÷ $12.81 = 5.1 years. The wattage of the existing lights including ballast (fluorescent lights, halogen downlights, etc) are based on Table A9.2 of the IPART Method Guide Commercial Lighting Energy Savings Formula V3.1. The Webtool is aimed at advising like for like lighting replacement (fluorescent tubes for LED tubes or panels; halogen downlights for LED downlights, etc) and is unable to incorporate calculations for the replacement on one type of lighting with another type. For example, the replacement of fluorescent tube lights with halogen downlights cannot be done by the Webtool.
Technology
The Webtool utilises technical specifications for LED lighting technology. There are other types of technology that may be appropriate for your business.
When replacing fluorescent lamps or halogen downlights, we recommend completely removing any ballast or control gear that is used in the existing fitting to eliminate potential problems with ballast and LED lamp compatibility. It is not recommended to remove the fluorescent tubes or halogen lamps from their fittings, and replace them with similar LED tubes and LED globes, leaving the lamp housing insitu. Removing the control equipment ensures maximum LED lamp life and energy efficiency.
The Business Energy and Water program
Small businesses in the ACT with less than 20 staff or electricity bills les than $25,000 per year (including GST) may be eligible to participate in the Business Energy and Water program. The program provides free energy assessments, a tailored report outlining efficiency upgrade recommendations and up to $5,000 on a dollar for dollar basis in rebates to support energy efficiency upgrades. For more information contact the Business Energy and Water program via Access Canberra on 13 22 81, via email on sustainablebusiness@act.gov.au or visit the Business Energy and Water Program website for case studies and the program registration form, at https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/policy-programs/business-energy-and-water-program.
Regulations
In undertaking any upgrade of lighting, all works and installations must be undertaken in accordance with all legal requirements, by a licensed tradesperson where required by law, and all products and works must meet applicable Australian standards and regulations.
Indemnity
The estimation provided by the Webtool is for guidance only. The Webtool is not a substitute for professional advice and by using the Webtool you agree that EPSDD and/or the Territory is not providing professional advice on any matter.
In using the Webtool, you indemnify the Territory, its employees and agents against liability in respect of all claims, costs and expenses for all loss, damage or injury to persons or property caused directly or indirectly by yourself in connection with your use of the Webtool.
No Warranty Express or Implied
EPSDD and/or the Territory does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the Webtool and accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any reliance on the estimation provided for any purpose whatsoever.
ACT Government Disclaimer Applies
The ACT Government disclaimer applies to the use of this Webtool. The Disclaimer can be accessed at https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/disclaimer.
Privacy notice and collection agreement
What information will we collect?
We may collect personal information
The personal information collected in the Webtool such as business name, number of employees and email address is collected in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2014.
How we will treat the information we collect
The business name is used when generating the report which can be downloaded as a PDF file at the end of the Webtool. EPSDD uses your employee numbers to determine your eligibility for the Business Energy and Water Program which provides rebates to small business to upgrade inefficient equipment, including lighting. EPSDD use your email address to contact you regarding this program.
How we will treat the information we collect
The personal information you provide may be disclosed to other ACT Government directorates, and third parties external to the ACT Government, as required by specific legislation administered by EPSDD. The EPSDD Information Privacy Policy can be found on the EPSDD website, under the About Us menu. The Information Privacy Policy and Annex contains information in regard to what information EPSDD collects and to whom it is disclosed. The policy also contains information about how you may access or seek to correct your personal information held by EPSDD, and how you may complain about an alleged breach of the ACT Privacy Principles. The policy may be accessed at https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/privacy.