The Reeds Development is a stunning residential scheme of 130 luxury apartments located close to Watford Junction Station.
THE BRIEF:
Despite the very high standard of the development, residents at The Reeds and their property managers had become increasingly concerned that the lighting had become outdated and now posed a potential risk to health and safety. Maintenance costs were exorbitant and the failing system was no longer fit for purpose. The client was also holding a quotation running into thousands of pounds for urgent emergency lighting repairs that were needed to bring the entire system up to current requirements.
The maintenance team had done their best to repair the system but the task was never ending, so the property managers contacted Future Lighting for help. We promptly arranged a survey and supplied an analysis of the existing lighting systems.
Problem areas identified were:
• High wattage lighting with associated high running costs
• Poor means of control
• Many failed units resulting in a poorly maintained feel
• Failing emergency lighting installation
• Mix of lamp types and poor colour matching
As a result, we proposed a direct replacement LED fitting with integral occupancy and light level detection and were delighted to be commissioned to help design and build a new, energy efficient lighting scheme to replace the existing installation while still complementing the original design of the building.
The first steps were to build a custom-made system and provide a free trial and residents were given the opportunity to look at the proposed installation and choose a preferred colour. Warm white 3000k was chosen and the new design began to take shape.
There were challenges! These included:
• Utilisation of the existing wiring to prevent major cosmetic damage
• Designing a lighting scheme that would complement rather than detract from the original design of the building.
• Avoiding disruption to the car park, residents and their visitors.
THE FUTURE LIGHTING SOLUTION
Internal areas:
• Removal of all existing fittings
• Direct replacement with 14W LED fittings complete with integral occupancy detectors and emergency facility
• Removal of all existing outdated control methods
Underground car park:
• Removal of all existing 140watt fittings
• Direct replacement with 18W LED fittings and emergency facility
• Removal of all existing outdated control methods
Lighting for the 11-Block and 200+ space car park was completed in less than three weeks, and all without disruption to the building, its internal or external decor and without impact on residents.
The new LED lights will pay for themselves with the money saved each year. The savings that were made are hefty: the lighting upgrade will reduce energy costs by approximately 90 per cent per annum.
Both the property manager and The Reeds residents were delighted to discover that their return on investment will be in just 39 months.
In addition, Future Lighting has given a five-year guarantee on the refurbishment and free on-going maintenance!
