30 Apr The Methodology Behind Group Relamping

Lighting costs can quickly get out of control in a large office building or warehouse, which is why when one burns out, replacing just that lamp often seems like the best decision. However, when one light goes out, others are also likely to fail, and that is why many facilities managers consider group relamping. But, what is group relamping, and how can it benefit your building?

What is Group Relamping?

Imagine that we are talking about windshield wipers for your car. When one goes bad, you replace both because chances are, the other will quickly need replacing. The theory behind group relamping is similar. You replace all, or most, of the lights at one time.

Lamentably, only a small fraction of buildings run lighting maintenance programs where all lamps in a given area are replaced on a planned schedule, or before they fail. The electrical industry refers to this technique as “group relamping.” Alternatively, replacing the lights on an “as needed” basis is called “spot relamping.”

What Are the Advantages of Group Relamping?

Maintain Normal Light Levels

One of the main advantages of group relamping over spot relamping is that group relamping ensures that lighting levels are maintained at optimal levels for everyone in the building.

As time progresses, lamps will deteriorate, and dirt will accumulate inside and around the lamp. If one lamp fails, you know that others are not long behind it, and the dust and dirt that settles inside can obscure the light output. The combination of lamp failures decreased lumen output, and dirt buildup can lose as much as 30% of light work after just two years.

Group relamping allows an opportunity to have the lights cleaned versus spot relamping, where the lenses and luminaire surfaces are hardly ever cleaned.

Cuts Down Labor Costs

Group relamping reduces labor time and expenses because you are replacing many or all of the lights at time. The electricians that are scheduled to perform group relamping will be ready with the proper materials in advance. They will be able to move from lamp to lamp, with a project plan in place, more expeditiously.

Furthermore, group relamping usually takes place outside of business hours, reducing labor time and workplace disturbances. Additionally, if spot relamping was always done on overtime, that expense can be saved by hiring an after-hours contractor to help with group relamping.

Employee Satisfaction

Group relamping improves the satisfaction of everyone in the building because workspaces are better lit. Better lighting can also help with safer and brighter working conditions, improving overall productivity.

It’s Energy Efficient

Group relamping is an excellent opportunity to replace all the lights with energy-efficient bulbs that offer a higher ROI by cutting down on monthly costs. The upfront cost will be more expensive, but the energy costs will be lower over the bulbs’ life.

Life cycle of LED Lights

The maintenance life cycle of traditional lamps can be anywhere from three to five years. However, if you opt for LED lights, you could get 12 to 15 years. While you get more years of operational use from LED lighting, the selection is often based on how much cost the facilities manager or building owner is willing to take on initially.

Is Group Relamping Right for Your Building?

Cost Analysis

If you are having difficulty deciding whether group relamping is the right decision and selecting suitable light bulbs for your facility, it might help to answer some questions and identify the costliness of your choices. There’s a cost analysis that could help you figure out what lamps might be best for replacement.

Here are some things you should ask before entering into a group relamping scenario:

• Are you willing and able to replace at least 70-80% of the lamps at one time?
• Are you able to absorb a higher upfront cost for lower energy costs?

Your answer to these two questions will determine your readiness to begin group relamping. It’s also important to take into account lighting design factors when considering group relamping.

The longevity and energy efficiency of the more environmentally-friendly, expensive bulbs will provide a higher return on investment. Still, it may not be wise if you cannot commit to the most energy-saving bulbs fully.

Ask About Rebates

There may be lamp-specific rebates available at the state or local level. This is especially true when you are changing a large number of lamps at one time, which is often the case in group relamping.

Getting The Most Out of Your Lighting

Caring for a building’s lighting is a big responsibility, it can seem easier and more cost-effective to change one bulb at a time, but it’s actually more budget friendly to invest in group relamping that can make your work areas brighter and safer. If you’d like to find out how well your current lighting is working, a commercial energy audit might be the best place to start. Lighting Maintenance Inc. is here to help with your commercial lighting needs.  Commercial lighting is easy with the right partner.