Switching to LEDs – for what benefit?
Here at Open Source Arts there’s always something exciting happening and the past few months have been no exception! We recently acquired some new studio space on Kirkstall Road for local artists and creatives to use to work and develop their practice, as well as join our creative hub and community close to the city centre!
Before opening up there has been a lot of hard work done behind the scenes to convert what once was an open plan office space into lots of individual affordable studio pods. As part of this redevelopment and reimagining of the space we made the decision to swap out all the existing lighting for more cost effective, carbon saving, efficient LEDs.
We decided to make this ‘big switch’ to LEDs because here at Open Source Arts we recognise that we are faced with a climate crisis and are committed to creating sustainable futures for all. As part of this we realise we must LEAD – Let Every Action Demonstrate – and take actions that help create sustainable futures. The installation of new LEDs is part of our efforts to continue reducing our environmental impact and carbon footprint.
So, what have the outcomes of this ‘big switch’ been?
Well, the headline is that we’ve managed to slice our energy usage, costs and carbon equivalent emissions by 73%!
Where one hour of lighting previously required almost 7 kilowatts of energy, the new LED lighting system demands a mere 1.8 kilowatts. This helps to bring our electricity costs down by nearly a pound per hour of lighting. That means you can save the same as the cost of a mocha from a fancy coffee shop within four hours (£3.92) – a feat that cannot be underestimated in the current energy crisis and increases in cost of living.
We are currently faced with record high energy bills as Ofgem – the UK government regulator for electricity and gas markets – increased the price cap that sets the maximum households and businesses pay for their energy allowing prices to nearly double; pushing many into fuel poverty.
Moreover, this switch has allowed us to reduce our environmental impact as, based on the current average carbon equivalent emissions (CO2 e) per kilowatt of energy for the UK, emissions from lighting have fallen by 1.14 kg CO2 e per hour. This is the same level of emissions produced from driving a small car 3.6 miles (5.8km) – roughly the same distance as driving from Open Source Arts to Kirkstall Abbey. What a huge impact from just switching our light bulbs!
However, the exciting facts and figures don’t finish there – over the course of a year the impact is huge! Cost savings amount to over £4,700 paying off the cost of installation (around £1,875) more than twice over in a single year. That’s a saving that could buy you 195 24-packs (4,680 cans) of Kirkstall Brewery’s Virtuous Session IPA or 134 weeks in one of our studio pods.
Not only this but carbon savings add up to 5,586 kg CO2 e equal to driving a small car 17,460 miles (28,099 km) – that’s 3,132 miles further than driving from Open Source Arts, Leeds, to Ankara, Turkey, and back three times!
We are sharing this information because not only does it show the potential benefits of switching to cost effective, carbon saving, efficient LEDs, but also because it is imperative that during these difficult times that we take steps to help each other. To share this information and provide advice to others, businesses and individuals alike, of how they too can reduce their energy bills.
We therefore invite you to think about what benefits switching to LED, and other energy saving technologies, could bring to your home or business?
We’d also like to hear your success stories. What changes have you made that have saved you money or reduced your environmental impact? How can we come together as communities and remain resilient in the face of adversity?
If you’re interested in taking on one of our new affordable studio pods, being part of our artistic community and being one of our founding members then please get in touch at info@opensourcearts.co.uk or 0113 246 8975.
Please note the figures given for the year are based on being open from 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week for 50 weeks of the year. The level of impact and benefit from switching to LEDs will vary based on the running time of lights as well as the previously installed capacity.
References
CO2 Everything. (2022) Carbon Footprint: Geothermal Energy. CO2 Everything. Accessed 11 April 2022. Available at: https://www.co2everything.com/co2e-of/geothermal-energy
Bulb. (2022) Carbon Tracker. Bulb. Accessed 11 April 2022. Available at: https://bulb.co.uk/carbon-tracker/
Ambrose, J. & Kollewe, J. (2022) ‘Cash machine’ BP dismisses calls for windfall tax as profits hit eight-year high. The Guardian. Accessed 11 April 2022. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/feb/08/bp-profits-gas-oil-prices-shell-energy-crisis-windfall-tax
Rahel Muhiah, R. (2022) Why are energy bills going up and what can we do about it? Greenpeace. Accessed 22 April 2022. Available at: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/why-are-energy-bills-going-up-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/
Contact Us
Open Source Arts
Unit 1a Aire Place Mills
143 Kirkstall Road
LS3 1JL
01132 468 975
