Section ECONOMY
TOPIC

Μ.Ι.ΜΑΙΛΛΗΣ ΜΟΝΟΠΡΟΣΩΠΗ Α.Ε.Β.Ε

LED LIGHTING - IMPROVEMENT AT WORK & ENERGY SAVING

Replacement of factory bulbs with LED energy saving bulbs

The program is addressed to the employees of the company but also to external stakeholders (customers, partners, local community, control authorities) and confirms the company's commitment to continuous improvement of working conditions, environmental protection, and energy savings.

 

 

The duration for replacement of the lamps in the factory premises was one year.

The covered areas of the facility amount to approximately 23,000 m2 which for the most part should be constantly lit for the safety of employees. In most of production buildings, there is a requirement for lighting throughout the day and night hours. Our company, given that LED bulbs consume 75% less energy, decided to replace simple incandescent or fluorescent bulbs with LED bulbs, thus aiming at energy savings.

Because most light bulbs are placed in the highest position of the production and warehouse buildings, it is very difficult and dangerous to be replaced. LED bulbs last longer so this means lower maintenance costs in terms of labor and lower costs for replacement parts.

The initial cost of LED bulb was about twice the cost of an incandescent bulb. But the cost has dropped and now it is difficult to find bulbs that are not LED. This is because they are much more efficient than incandescent light bulbs and save money in the long run.

Another reason that our company decided to proceed with the specific initiative is that the new LED lamps are not harmful but completely environmentally friendly. LED bulbs do not contain toxic substances or various heavy metals (e.g., mercury) such as incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. Also, all the materials used for the production of LED lamps are environmentally friendly and recyclable.

The efficiency of LED lamps is kept constant for a longer period. In other types of lamps as they age their maximum efficiency (in Lumen) decreases. LED lamps, regardless of how many times we turn them on and off, lose only 1-3% of their efficiency. With the LED lamps, we achieve the continuous and adequate lighting of the indoor areas, thus ensuring the Health and Safety of our employees in their workplace. Furthermore, LED lamps do not emit ultraviolet radiation which is quite harmful.

LEDs emit almost no forward heat while traditional bulbs like incandescent convert more than 90% of the total energy used to power them directly into heat. Additionally, because LEDs consume less power they can operate effectively on low-voltage electrical systems. These are generally much safer if something goes wrong.

 

Electrical equipment company

The Electricians of the Technical Department as well as the colleagues of the Procurement department participated for the implementation of the program.

Steel strap production factory at Inofyta Viotias, Greece.

Environmental Protection:

  • Disposal of 350 incandescent and fluorescent lamps in a licensed management body.
  • Installation of 350 recyclable LED technology lamps.
  • Energy saving by 75%, annual savings of 1.23 GWh.

Human Resources Protection:

  • Improving Lighting in the workplace
  • Reduction of emitted ultraviolet radiation
  • Explosion-proof lamps, reduction of accident risk

The replacement of incandescent and fluorescent lamps with new LED technology, resulted in the improvement of workplaces and the protection of the environment, which are the main and continuous goals of our company. In addition, this initiative has led to a significant reduction in electricity consumption, with the corresponding economic benefits that arise annually. The attached table and graphs  presents the annual benefits in more detail.