Hey, Let’s Get You Energized: The Deets on Victorian Energy Efficiency Program! πŸŒŸπŸ’‘

Yo, ever wondered how to get the most bang for your energy buck while saving the planet? 🌍 The Victorian Government Energy Efficiency Program is here to kick some serious energy waste to the curb!

The Cool Stuff You Get:

  • Who’s In?: Literally, everyone in Victoria! πŸŽ‰
  • Upgrades: LED lights, snazzy heating, and cooling, and even water-saving tech. All the goods! πŸ› οΈ
  • The Price Tag: Zero to nada! Government’s got your back with rebates! πŸ’Έ
  • Pro Team: Only the A-listers of the energy world get to pimp your space. 🌟
  • Green Vibes: Cut down on your carbon badness and feel good about it! 🌱

Why You Should Care:

  • Save Dat Money: See your energy bill shrink faster than ice in the sun! 🌞
  • Be A Hero: Rock that cape, you’re an environmental champ! πŸ¦Έβ€β™‚οΈ
  • Cash in: Your place’s value just skyrocketed. You’re welcome! πŸ’°

Let’s Do This:

  1. Find out if you’re the chosen one (spoiler: you are).
  2. Get an energy check-up from the pros.
  3. Pick your energy upgrades like you’re shopping for kicks. πŸ‘Ÿ
  4. Let the pros do their magic. 🎩
  5. Party in your newly pimped, energy-efficient pad! πŸŽ‰

So, are you in or what? For the full scoop, hit up the official website or give a shout to your local energy guru!

Ready to live that energy-efficient dream? 🌟πŸ”₯

Ref: https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/victorian-energy-upgrades-program

The Importance of Choosing the Right Emergency Lighting Product and Maintenance: A Guide to Australian Standards

Introduction

Emergency lighting plays a crucial role in guiding people to safety during crises such as power outages, fires, and other emergencies. An effective emergency lighting system can be the difference between calm evacuation and chaotic escape, possibly resulting in injuries or loss of life. This is why choosing the right emergency lighting product and ensuring it remains in good working condition is of utmost importance. In Australia, specific standards govern the installation and maintenance of emergency lighting.

Australian Standards: AS/NZS 2293

In Australia, the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2293 regulates emergency escape lighting and exit signs for buildings. The standard is divided into three main parts:

  1. AS/NZS 2293.1: System Design, Installation, and Operation
  2. AS/NZS 2293.2: Routine Service and Maintenance
  3. AS/NZS 2293.3: Emergency Luminaires and Exit Signs

These standards provide guidelines for product requirements, installation procedures, and periodic checks and maintenance.

Choosing the Right Product

Compliance with AS/NZS 2293 is not just a legal requirement but also an assurance of quality and effectiveness. When selecting a product, ensure that it meets or exceeds the criteria laid out in AS/NZS 2293.3, which specifies luminaire performance requirements.

Factors to consider when choosing a product:

  • Luminance: A higher lumens rating means a brighter light, but balance is key. Too much light can be as disorienting as too little.
  • Battery Life: Consider products with longer battery lifespans and quicker recharge times.
  • Durability: Opt for products designed to withstand extreme temperatures and conditions.
  • Ease of Installation: Look for products that are straightforward to install, which reduces installation errors and subsequent risks.

Maintenance is Key

According to AS/NZS 2293.2, routine service and maintenance of emergency lighting systems should be carried out at intervals not exceeding 12 months. The standard outlines various tests, including a 90-minute battery discharge test and cleaning of luminaire diffusers, to ensure optimal operation.

Maintaining your emergency lighting in good working order involves:

  • Regular Inspections: Conduct monthly checks for visible defects and annual tests for performance.
  • Battery Checks: Regularly inspect and replace batteries as needed.
  • Documentation: Maintain a logbook as stipulated in AS/NZS 2293.2, recording all inspections, tests, and maintenance procedures.

Conclusion

Compliance with Australian standards is crucial, but beyond that, your choice of emergency lighting and its maintenance can have a direct impact on people’s safety during emergencies. Opt for products that meet or exceed AS/NZS 2293 guidelines, and don’t underestimate the importance of regular maintenance to ensure your systems are always ready when you need them most.

EMIoT-Emergency-Lighting-Network-Monitoring-System-LoRa-Mesh-Communication-Building-Diagram

Emergency lighting solutions are critical for the safety and well-being of occupants in a building, especially during power failures, fires, or other emergency situations that may compromise the primary lighting system. These solutions can generally be categorized into two types: monitored and non-monitored. Understanding the key differences between the two is essential for making an informed decision on which system to implement.

Monitored Emergency Lighting Solution:

  1. Remote Management: Monitored systems are connected to a centralized control panel, which constantly checks the status of each lighting fixture.
  2. Automated Testing: These systems can conduct self-tests to ensure they are in optimal working condition. Any faults or problems are automatically reported.
  3. Compliance: Easier to maintain compliance with safety standards like Australia’s AS/NZS 2293, as the system keeps logs of tests and performance metrics.
  4. Cost-Efficiency in Long Run: Although the initial setup cost may be high, monitored systems can be more cost-efficient in the long run due to reduced manual testing and maintenance costs.
  5. Instant Alerts: Facility managers receive immediate notifications in case of a failure, allowing for quicker resolution.

Non-Monitored Emergency Lighting Solution:

  1. Manual Oversight: Requires manual inspection and testing to ensure all components are functioning correctly.
  2. No Central Control: Lacks a centralized monitoring system, making it more challenging to manage multiple lights or fixtures across a large facility.
  3. Compliance Challenges: Maintaining compliance with safety standards may require more extensive record-keeping and manual testing, thereby increasing labor costs.
  4. Lower Initial Cost: Generally cheaper to install than monitored systems but may incur higher maintenance costs over time.
  5. Delayed Issue Detection: Issues like battery failure or lamp issues are only identified during routine checks, possibly compromising safety in an emergency.

In summary, monitored emergency lighting solutions offer more sophisticated management features, greater ease of compliance with safety standards, and long-term cost-efficiency. However, they often come with a higher initial investment. On the other hand, non-monitored systems are generally simpler and cheaper to install but may incur higher long-term costs and offer less immediate oversight. Choose the one that best suits your facility’s needs, keeping in mind both safety and budgetary considerations.

EMIoT-Smart-Building-Device-Connection-Diagram

The final decisions regarding updates to the lighting components of the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program have been made. These include revisions to the initially suggested timeline for discontinuing certain activities that were presented for consultation in December 2019.

In line with predictions, the subsidies for most commercial LED lighting will indeed be phased out, although this will occur on an extended schedule compared to the original proposal.

The key changes are:

Activity What this entails 31 Mar 2021 31 Jan 2022 31 Jan 2023
Part 27 The replacement of public lighting mercury vapour lamps (street/path lighting etc). Mercury vapour lamps removed
Part 34 – J6 The replacement of low efficiency lights in a building that requires a building permit (renovations etc). Align with NCC 2019 IPD Activity removed
Part 34-Non-J6 The replacement of most low efficiency lights in a commercial building. High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps incentive reduced by 40% (including mercury vapour – canopies, floodlights, highbays) HID incentive further reduced by 60% Activities removed

T5, T8, T12 and CFL remain

Part 35 The replacement of pole- based lights (carparks etc). Mercury vapour lamps removed

See the VEU website for more details:Β https://engage.vic.gov.au/victorian-energy-upgrades/lighting

What does it mean?

At present, the bulk of commercial LED lighting upgrades are categorized under Part 34 – Non-J6. These projects are scheduled to experience significant reductions in subsidies shortly by January 2023. Consequently, by the onset of next year, the opportunity for complimentary lighting upgrades will be reduced, and for more complex installations, expenses could escalate by as much as 40% from current costs.

Positive Outlook

However, there is a silver lining. Subsidy rates are at their peak right now, which means most straightforward LED upgrades utilising NRGPAL products will continue to be offered at no charge until next major announcement by ESC.

Commitments

Given that the lead time for projects can vary from a brief two weeks to as long as three -four months based on the project’s size, immediate action is key. We encourage you to act promptly to ensure you receive a complimentary, no-obligation inspection and proposal.

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Edge (Side)-lit and back-lit LED panels are two popular types of lighting technologies used in various applications, such as in TV screens, computer monitors, and general lighting. Here’s how they differ:

Edge(Side)-lit LED Panels

  • Light Placement: In edge-lit panels, the LEDs are positioned around the perimeter of the panel, often along one or more edges.
  • Light Distribution: Light from these LEDs is directed towards the center of the panel using light guides. These guides are typically made of a clear acrylic material that helps spread the light evenly across the surface.
  • Thickness: Edge-lit panels are usually thinner than back-lit panels. This makes them popular for sleeker designs, such as in ultra-thin televisions and lightweight portable screens.
  • Uniformity and Brightness: While edge-lit panels can achieve a high degree of brightness, they might struggle with uniformity of light across the entire panel, especially in larger sizes.

Back-lit LED Panels

  • Light Placement: In back-lit panels, LEDs are placed directly behind the display or light panel over the entire expanse of the surface.
  • Light Distribution: This configuration allows for more direct lighting and can be more easily controlled and segmented into zones (local dimming), which can be individually brightened or dimmed.
  • Thickness: Back-lit panels are typically thicker than edge-lit due to the space needed behind the panel for the LEDs.
  • Uniformity and Brightness: These panels generally provide better light uniformity and can achieve higher brightness levels than edge-lit panels. They are preferred in settings where visual performance and color accuracy are critical.

Applications and Choice

  • Cost and Design: Edge-lit panels tend to be less expensive to manufacture and are chosen for their thin profile, making them ideal for consumer electronics where form factor is important.
  • Performance: Back-lit panels are chosen for their superior performance in terms of brightness and uniformity, making them suitable for professional displays, high-quality TVs, and lighting solutions that require consistent illumination.

NRGPAL offer Backlit Panels for maximum performance and longevity of our installs.

back lit panel

IMPORTANT!!!

As of 1 Feburary 2023, residential lighting upgrades are no longer eligible for incentives under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.

Read more…

back lit panel