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Snap printing staff

Snap Preston Saves Money with Lighting Upgrade

Snap in Preston is one of Darebin’s Light$mart organisations. They have recently upgraded their lights to more energy efficient globes. “We are happy with the new lights and really did appreciate the guidance and assistance that the Light$mart Program gave us with this task. It made it so much easier”, says Candi Brown from Snap.


 


 


 

Snap, like many small local businesses had the old style T8 fluorescent tubes. They have upgraded 13 of these to T5 fluorescent tubes. They also installed one photo electric switch on their external signage lights to ensure that they turn on at dusk and turn off at daylight. In addition to upgrading to more efficient lights they took this opportunity to make all their lights a consistent colour (5,000 Kelvin), and one which gives a better colour rendition for the work they do.

How much will Snap save?

A man changing a fluroscent light globe outside a shopfront

The changes are expected to deliver them electricity savings of $133 per year. They will also have significantly reduced maintenance costs, as a result of the extended lamp life of the T5s (rated at 20,000 hours). They will also save 920 kgs of greenhouse gases per year as well!

The paybacks on the signage lights and the photo electric sensor are fastest (just over one year), as a result of them being on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The payback on the remaining T5 lights is 2.6 years, so still a very good financial proposition.

What other sustainable actions have Snap introduced?

This work continues on from Snap’s already established commitment to creating a sustainable business and helping create a more sustainable environment. Snap have in the past purchased GreenPower, turned some lights off permanently in areas where natural daylight was sufficient and reduced standby power to reduce electricity consumption. They recycle or reuse all their paper and cardboard waste, recycle their toner cartridges through the Planet Ark Recycling Program, offset their company car emissions through Greenfleet and use vegetable/soy based inks. They also print all centre brochures on recycled paper, and have replaced all plastic bags with paper ones.

Candi and Michael understand the opportunities and value of participating in programs that help support a businesses sustainability journey. In addition to the Light$mart Program they have participated in the Grow me the Money VECCI program, Earth Hour, the Greenhouse Allies Program, Energy Smart Leaders and the Business Green Earth Program.

“At Snap Preston we believe in implementing what we can, when we can. Each action, regardless of how small and insignificant we may feel it is all adds up and has helped us that little bit further along the sustainability pathway.”

See the new lights in action

If you would like to see their new T5 lights and photo electric switch in action call into Snap at 348 High Street, Preston and speak to Candi, Michael or Robert.

Further Information

Darebin’s Light$mart Program is designed to support businesses in reducing their electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions by upgrading lights to more efficient globes.

If you would like to participate in or find out more about the Light$mart Program please contact:

Emma Hopkins
Sustainable Business Officer
Ph: (03) 8470 8550
Email: Emma.Hopkins@darebin.vic.gov.au