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Energy Observer



Energy Efficiency Information for the
Facility Manager


The Energy Observer

summarizes published material
on proven energy technologies
and practices, and encourages
users to share experiences with
generic energy products and
services. This quarterly bulletin
also identifies informational
sources and energy training for
facility managers and staff.
The
Energy Observer

is a service of
the Energy Office, Michigan
Department of Labor &
Economic Growth.


The US Department of Energy
estimates that there are over 100
million exit signs in use in the
United States. Typically, these
exit signs are lit by incandescent
lamps and are estimated to
consume 30 to 35 billion kilowatt-
hours of electricity per year.

T
HE
T
ECHNOLOGIES
Many types of exit signs are
available in the market today.

While purchase price is important
when installing new exit signs you
should also consider life
expectancy, maintenance costs,
and the cost of operation.

Some models offer savings of up
to 85% over the standard
incandescent lamp. While initial
cost is higher on energy efficient
models, the savings will
supplement the cost in a relatively
short amount of time.

Incandescent
This type of exit sign contains 1 or
2 incandescent lamps, typically a
clear glass bulb with a filament
inside. These lamps produce light
by resistance to an electrical
current; heating the filament to a
high temperature. Incandescent
exit signs consume between 30
and 50 watts of electricity, and are
the most energy intensive type of
exit sign. Incandescent lamps will
require replacement every 2 to 3
months.

Compact Fluorescent
This type of exit sign contains 1 or
2 U-shaped tubular Compact
Fluorescent Lamps (CFL). These
lamps produce light by exciting a
mixture of argon and mercury
vapor enclosed by a glass tube.
CFL exit signs consume between
12 and 20 watts of electricity.
CFLs will require replacement
every 9 to 12 months.

Electroluminescent
This type of exit sign contains a
thin layer of a phosphor-
impregnated material between two
layers of conducting material. An
electric current is passed through
the phosphorus material causing it
to emit light. The rated life of this
type of exit sign is approximately
10 years.

LED (Light Emitting Diodes)
LED exit signs contain circuit
boards with anywhere from 6 to 35
individual LEDs. An LED is a
semi-conducting diode that emits
visible light when charged with
electric current. This type of
fixture consumes 1 to 8 watts of
electricity. The expected life of an
LED exit sign is 15-25 years with
virtually no maintenance required.

Others
Other types of exit signs include
photoluminescent, and self-
luminous (tritium). These types
are less popular for many reasons,
mainly cost. Many of these self-
luminous exit signs are only
recommended for areas that are
without electricity.

Quarterly Issue March 2004
Exit Signs

Exit Sign Comparisons
Sign Type:
Typical
wattage
Life
(years)
Annual
Energy Cost
(US $)
Annual
Maintenance
Cost (US $)
Upgrade Cost
(US $)
New Fixtures





Incandescent
40
.8
28.00
19.50
N/A
CFL
10
2
7.00
9.50
90.00
Electro-
luminescent
1
10
0.70
20.50
200.00
LED
2-5
25+
3.50
0.00
90.00
Retrofit Light Sources




Reduced Watt.
Incandescent
8-18
10
5.60
4.00
30.00
CFL
10
2
7.00
9.50
30.00
LED
2
25+
2.80
0.00
35.00
Source: EPA Green Lights, Lighting Upgrade Manual 1998 If you are considering purchasing
this type of sign, verify that it
meets the visibility requirements of
the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA), UL 924 or
your local Fire Marshal. Disposal
may also be important. Some self-
luminous signs require hazardous
waste removal procedures, which
can be quite expensive.
Picture from USDOE National Renewable Energy Lab.
R
ETROFIT
K
ITS
R
ETROFIT
K
ITS
Manufacturers offer incandescent,
compact fluorescent and LED
options for retrofitting your current
exit sign fixtures.
Manufacturers offer incandescent,
compact fluorescent and LED
options for retrofitting your current
exit sign fixtures.


Lower watt, incandescent lamps
are available that offer an
extended life expectancy. These
would be a direct replacement for
your current lamp. Compact
fluorescent lamps are also
available as direct replacements,
offering an even lower wattage
and also a longer life expectancy.
Lower watt, incandescent lamps
are available that offer an
extended life expectancy. These
would be a direct replacement for
your current lamp. Compact
fluorescent lamps are also
available as direct replacements,
offering an even lower wattage
and also a longer life expectancy.


LED retrofit kits are also available
in many forms. These very low
wattage options are also available
in a direct replacement lamp. The
LEDs are mounted on a circuit
board inside of a glass bulb with a
standard incandescent base. The
LED retrofit options will last up to
25 years without replacement,
virtually eliminating maintenance
needs.
LED retrofit kits are also available
in many forms. These very low
wattage options are also available
in a direct replacement lamp. The
LEDs are mounted on a circuit
board inside of a glass bulb with a
standard incandescent base. The
LED retrofit options will last up to
25 years without replacement,
virtually eliminating maintenance
needs.


When using a retrofit kit vs.
replacing the fixture be sure that
your current fixture is clean, in
good working condition and meets
visibility requirements.
When using a retrofit kit vs.
replacing the fixture be sure that
your current fixture is clean, in
good working condition and meets
visibility requirements.


These retrofit options can save
you energy, time and maintenance
costs without having to purchase
all new fixtures.
These retrofit options can save
you energy, time and maintenance
costs without having to purchase
all new fixtures.


L
IFE
-C
YCLE
C
OST
A
NALYSIS
L
IFE
-C
YCLE
C
OST
A
NALYSIS
When evaluating exit sign
technologies the important areas
to consider are fixture cost, energy
usage, and lamp life. When these
factors are all compared the LED
fixture is the most cost effective
option.
When evaluating exit sign
technologies the important areas
to consider are fixture cost, energy
usage, and lamp life. When these
factors are all compared the LED
fixture is the most cost effective
option.


Even though the initial fixture cost
for the LED fixture is higher in
comparison with the other options,
the overall 10-year cost is much
lower. The 10-year Cost
Comparison Chart illustrates this
point.
Even though the initial fixture cost
for the LED fixture is higher in
comparison with the other options,
the overall 10-year cost is much
lower. The 10-year Cost
Comparison Chart illustrates this
point.


F
OR
M
ORE
I
NFORMATION

F
OR
M
ORE
I
NFORMATION

ENERGY STAR offers free tools
and seminars for evaluating
building performance and
equipment efficiency.
ENERGY STAR offers free tools
and seminars for evaluating
building performance and
equipment efficiency.
www.energystar.gov
www.energystar.gov

The Federal Energy Management
Program (FEMP) offers many
resources, and technology
recommendations for achieving
energy efficiency.
www.eere.energy.gov/femp/
10-YEAR COST COMPARRISON

Incand.
CFL
LED
Initial
purchase
cost
$20-
$100
$125-
$200
$80-
$250
10-year
Energy and
maint. Costs
$390-
$490
$130-
$172
$7-$21
Source: Inform Inc., Purchasing for Pollution
Prevention Program Fact Sheet, Nov. 2003



Visit the Energy Office website for
information on current programs,
services, past issues of
The
Energy Observer
and grant
information.

www.michigan.gov/energyoffice



For more information on this
issue or past issues of
The
Energy Observer
, please
contact:
Brandy Minikey
Staff Engineer DLEG/EO
PO Box 30221
Lansing, MI 48909
e-mail:
bjminik@michigan.gov

fax: (517) 241-6229
or call (517) 241-8235.


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