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| Brittany Goodman, Lighting auditor, helped Lindsay Fraser identify area for more efficient lighting. |
Good lighting is essential to Lindsay Fraser’s business.
Fraser owns the Main Stage Art Gallery in Rossland, BC. As well as art, she showcases and sells antiques, home décor and jewelry.
She has owned the heritage building for more than 20 years but it was originally built in the 1930s. Because the building is old, Fraser says she’s always looking for ways to save on her energy bill and be more energy efficient.
So when FortisBC, in conjunction with LiveSmart BC, announced a lighting assessment and installation program, Fraser was thrilled to participate.
“I approached FortisBC about possible rebates for upgrading my windows but then they phoned me and offered this lighting assessment. I’m a small business in a small town so something like this is great,” she explains.
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| Main Stage Art Gallery is in a 1930 heritage building. |
The FortisBC/LiveSmart BC Lighting Installation Program (FLIP) provides up to $5,500 in assistance for lighting upgrades, helping small businesses with new, energy efficient lights, occupancy sensors and controls. The program is for any privately owned business operating from a commercial facility that spent less than $20,000 on electricity over the last 12 months. A FortisBC-approved contractor walks each business owner through the process — from assessment to installation.
Shedding light on efficiency
Brittany Goodman is a lighting auditor and walked Fraser through the process. She looked at cabinet lighting, track lighting and pendant lighting throughout and made suggestions on where she could upgrade, saving some money and energy.
“I suggested she switch to LEDs in some high-traffic areas because the light is very crisp and it has a higher beam compared to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Both are energy efficient but in this space, the LEDS made more sense,” says Goodman, adding it was suggested to Fraser that she install CFLs in the bathroom.
Goodman also suggested installing occupancy sensors in certain areas because the downstairs space doesn’t see much traffic — she doesn’t like leaving lights on all day when there’s no one down there.
“Downstairs there is tiny halogen decorative lighting and there’s no retrofit for those. So I suggested installing a wireless occupancy sensor on the wall to the basement, which means the lights will come on when someone goes downstairs but otherwise they are off,” says Goodman.
Real savings
It’s expected that the replacement lighting will save 1,842 kW/h per year, or about $185 on her energy bill.
Fraser says she expects the lighting retrofit will be completed within the next six weeks and she’s looking forward to “shining a new light” on her merchandise.
“I had no idea there were so many new lighting products that allow me to save energy and money on my energy bill and still provide the light that I need for my business,” she says..