FAQs - Energy Saving

An LED is a Light Emitting Diode that uses a semiconductor to convert energy (electricity) to light with virtually zero waste heat output. In a halogen bulb energy is passed through an extremely thin filament wire to generate light and there is a large amount of wasted energy in the process which is given off as heat. LED lighting therefore consumes less energy to generate the same or higher amounts of light (measured in lux).

Voltage optimisers use systematic and controlled voltage reduction to reduce the voltage (single or three phase mains power supply) received by an energy consuming device in order to reduce its energy usage, power demand and reactive power demand. Voltage optimisers are installed in series with the mains power supply and devices to be powered. Voltage optimisers work in countries such as the UK and especially in areas and on sites where the mains power supply has a higher voltage than 230Vac (single phase) or 400Vac (three phase).

Payback Period is the length of time to recover the cost of an investment in a project. The calculation is used to determine whether to undertake the project, which could be an energy saving or energy efficiency related project. The longer the payback period the less attractive the project investment. In terms of energy saving, payback period measures the time to recover the cost of the investment from the save energy or reduction in energy bills.

Payback Period is an investment guideline tool with one downside. The calculation does not take into account the time value of money. For this aspect to be covered Net Present Value (NPV) is a more accurate investment comparison calculation.