Happy St Patrick's Day 2016!

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Proper Electrical Lockout/Tagout Procedures Can Prevent Injuries & Save Lives

Proper and vigilant Lockout/Tagout protocols save lives and prevent electrical injuries every day - and OSHA requires it. Keep power securely deactivated when working on systems and equipment. Review and share these reminders in the linked article below with your construction teams and facilities personnel.
‪#‎lockout‬ ‪#‎tagout‬ ‪#‎electrical‬ ‪#‎electricity‬ ‪#‎electricalinjuries‬ ‪#‎OSHA‬ ‪#‎safety‬

http://hydraulicspneumatics.com/maintenance/6-reasons-validate-your-lockouttagout-procedure

Roland's Electric Corrects Poor Power Supply

Is your ‪building‬'s power not smooth and constant? Does your ‪power‬ dip, flicker, sag, swell, or interrupt? Poor power ‪‎supply‬ isn't just a nuisance - it can lead to ‪electrical‬ equipment failures, mechanical breakdowns, fires, leaks and other events which not only endanger your employees, but can result in costly damages and lost revenue by disrupting your operation or worse, causing a complete shutdown. Steer clear of electrical failures, damage, and loss of vital data or critical functions - if you have power ‪issues‬, we are here to help.  On Long Island, NY call us to discuss UPS - Uninterruptible Power Supply and generators for your facility/building.  631-242-8080

Roland's Electric, Inc. Featured in Prestigious National Construction Magazine

Our company was on the cover and featured in the current issue of the national construction magazine, US Builders Review!  Read the article in the digital version here in magazine style with photos: http://tiny.cc/gjb40x  & here in blog form  http://tiny.cc/tib40x

 

 

May is Electrical Safety Month: OVERHEAD POWER LINE DANGERS

Overhead power lines are deadly occupational hazards for many industries - agriculture, construction, and more. ALWAYS be aware of what is in the area you are working in before you start, deenergize nearby lines if doing electrical work if at all possible or maintain procedures to avoid contact. Overhead power lines are typically not insulated, and contact with anything from a tree saw to a paint roller to a fence post can kill or injure in a split second. Operators of booms, lifts, dump trucks and other vehicles and equipment must remain observant at all times, having spotters to signal is always a good idea. High power line injuries cause are some of the most serious ‪#‎electricalinjuries‬ seen.

Exterior Radiant Ramps and Driveways Combat Ice & Snow for Commercial Buildings!

It's been very icy out - excess snow and ice are complicating lower level deliveries at ‪#‎commercial‬ ‪#‎buildings‬ all over ‪#‎LongIsland‬.

Check out this OUTDOOR installation we have under way at a medical building in ‪#‎NassauCounty‬! We've installed ‪#‎radiant‬ ‪#‎heat‬ that goes under the asphalt to melt the ice that makes truck deliveries to the basement level receiving bay treacherous and difficult.  This is a ramp that goes from ground level, down to basement and sub levels.

This is great to include for under driveways and walkways at hospitals, colleges, schools, offices, municipalities, and more. Call ‪#‎Roland‬'s Electric to discuss YOUR radiant needs at  631-242-8080

SEE MORE PROJECTS!

RECENTLY COMPLETED: Hauppauge Sewer District, NY

The Hauppauge Sewer District located near Motor Parkway on Long Island, recently completed a new build, several years in the making in order to better serve the local community.  Roland's Electric was the Electrical Contractor, and we did extensive electrical work, inside and out - wiring, installations of sensitive equipment, sensors, lighting, a generator power system, and countless other components.  

Roland's Electric was chosen for this project because of our vast experience in Water and Sewage treatment plant work.  

We have multiple dedicated teams on jobsites throughout Nassau County and Suffolk County, Long Island ready for your projects!  Call 631-242-8080

Commercial - Healthcare - Office - Retail - Restaurants - Industrial - Institutional - Municipal - Water & Sewage Treatment Plants - Solar - Design & Build - Generators - Energy Efficiency Upgrades & more

RECENTLY COMPLETED: NEW Cheesecake Factory, Bay Shore, NY

 The South Shore Mall located in Long Island, NY's Bay Shore recently welcomed a new Cheesecake Factory, built from the ground up in a record 9 weeks, just in time for the Christmas 2014 holidays!  Roland's Electric was the Electrical Contractor, and we did extensive electrical work, inside and out, from top to bottom including a highly specialized underground loop system.  We have multiple dedicated teams on jobsites throughout Nassau County and Suffolk County, Long Island ready for your projects!  Call 631-242-8080

Commercial - Healthcare - Office - Retail - Restaurants - Industrial - Institutional - Municipal - Water & Sewage Treatment Plants - Solar - Design & Build - Generators - Energy Efficiency Upgrades & more

Work With Long Island's Top Electrical Contractor! Serving Nassau County and Suffolk County

MGM Grand Casino Bets On LED

MGM Grand recently installed over 3117 LED's in their 61 acre parking garage in Detroit, MI.  They expect to cut their electricity use in the garage by 80%, with payback under 2 years on the $1.4 million dollar project.  MGM has won numerous awards and recognition for  their efforts.


 MGM's LED overhaul

Read more about MGM's LED initiative!


MGM: Green Key designation

The Future Of LED Light

New Technology In Development For Wireless LED Data Transmission

LED lighting applications are being researched and tested as a possible new way to boost and bridge cellular and WiFi networks - prototypes have been presented and demonstrated at tech meetings across the globe. 

Wireless high speed data transmission through visible LED light (Li-Fi) is faster than WiFi and may prove beneficial to areas where WiFi radio frequencies are blocked or inaccessible such as in hospitals, airplanes, and power plants. 

Since a line of sight to LED light is needed, it is not likely to replace WiFi or cellular technology.  However, it could enhance connections where connectivity is poor or where networks interfere with each other in a building using their own lighting infrastructure.

Sports Facilities Score with LED

Duke University in Durham, NC is replacing 1500 watt metal halide fixtures with LED at their Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium, expecting to save 70% on energy costs, by reducing the number of fixtures by 1/3 yet increasing light output. 

Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO replaced over 1000 flood and spotlights with LED and cut lighting demand by 90% in many areas.

Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI replaced the Munn Ice Arena's lights last fall with LED and the result is remarkable.  Lighting is now clean, bright, and uniformly distributed across the ice and has enhanced the goalies and ability to see the puck and the fan's experience.  They expect the $575K expense to be paid back in 5-7 years.

Boston University in Boston, MA wanted to achieve savings and eliminate the distracting and loud constant buzz from 127 aging metal halide fixtures at the Track and Tennis Center - achieved with LED high bays and integrated controls.  They are expecting a 40% reduction on their total energy use at the center.

Weber State University in Ogden, UT cut their energy consumption at their  Dee Events Center basketball arena by 70% or $25K per year converting metal halide lighting to LED.  The overhaul cost approximately $200K, $156K of which was covered by utility incentive programs.

War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, NY replaced it's circa 1951 metal halide fixtures at the ice hockey arena two years ago with LED, and spectators were amazed at the effect.

Traditional arena high intensity discharge metal halide lights can take up to 30 minutes to strike on, so cannot be turned off during events, whereas LED lights reach full brightness in 1.5 seconds and can be individually controlled and programmed - making for limitless possibilities for entertainment between games!

LED Installations the Best Medicine for Hospitals

Case studies around the world 

 

#1:  The Princess Alexandrea NHS Trust Hospital, a 489 bed hospital in Essex, England found lighting to be approximately 45% of their entire monthly electric bill.  A conversion to LED lighting in 2013 resulted in an instant 83% reduction with a 2.2 year payback for the up front costs.  The hospital was the first full LED convresion in a UK Hospital. 


#2:  Mercy Hospital & Medical Center in Chicago, IL converted hallways in their 485 bed building to LED lighting as part of a larger whole green inititative they have undertaken to reduce their carbon footprint and save energy.  They received a $72,288 utility incentive, with a project payback period of just 2.4 years, saving them over $98,700 per year in electricity costs.


#3:  Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, FL is the second largest public hospital in the state.  They replaced 250 watt metal halide lights with 75 watt LED lights in it's parking lot, reducing electricity use by 67%. 


#4:  Hawaii Pacific Health is a cluster of four hospitals and 44 clinic sites on the islands that initiated an LED lighting retrofit of all 48 facilities consisting of hallways, waiting areas, cafeterias, offices, and parking garages.  Payback was over 15 months and savings were expected to be in excess of $1.2 million dollars per year.


#5:  University of Utah Hospital slashed their KwH more than 50% by just changing 85 units to LED in one part of their hospital, with a 2.5 year payback and relieved the problems associated with maintaining and changing bulbs in difficult to reach high ceiling locations. 


See this interesting informative article by the US Dept. of Energy:
"Energy Efficient Hospital Lighting Strategies Pay Off Quickly"

Auto Dealerships Showcase Vehicles with LED  

Dealerships are discovering they can extend their outdoor sales into the evening with LED lighting.  Outdoor lot are beautifully illuminated with wide beams of uniform crisp clean light, reducing and eliminating dark areas and shadows.   Smart technology allows automatic dimming overnight and instant full brightness when motion sensors are tripped.

Lexus South Atlanta replaced High Intensity Discharge metal halide lights outside in their lot and got much more, for less.  Going from 400-1000 watt lights to 101-217 watts, they save between 79-87% on their energy bills (up to $49,000 each year) and turned shadowy lots into beautiful well lit outdoor showrooms!   

Click to read article:

At Home - efficiency blogger discovers & shares how he cut his electric bill.

Office/Warehouse Buildings Save Big With LED

Smarter business solutions 

One of New York City's largest commercial landlords, SL Green Realty Corp. completed their second installation last  year for a total of 24,000 LED lights in 24 buildings, and are now under way with their third phase after saving $950,000 annually with phases 1 and 2.  The first installations cost a total of $2.5 million dollars, $200,000 of which was expected to be covered by rebates and programs, with a 2.5 year payback.

Phase 3 involves over 6000 LED lights at 9 properties, and is expected to save an additional $370,000 annually.


NYC accounting giant Ernst & Young calculates they will save nearly 50% on their energy bill, saving $1 million dollars each year with their LED lighting conversion, with occupancy sensors at their 82 floor Times Square office building.  Their cost was approximately $2 million dollars, with just a 2 year payback.  They cut their demand from 6.2 million KwH to 2.9 million KwH.

REPLACING FIXTURES IS MINIMALLY DISRUPTIVE TO

OCCUPANTS/TENANT

Property management firm Steiner Development, Inc. increased tenant safety and reduced maintenance needs at a multi unit office-warehouse property they manage with improved quality of light thanks to total conversion of exterior fixtures (high pressure sodium metal halide and halogen) to LED.  They reduced KwH by 75% immediately, with an expected payback of under 3 years.

Thinking About Solar? Upgrade Your Lighting First for the Best Results

Benefits of High Efficiency Lighting

Electrical Contracting expert Stephen Cadieux, explains how jumping to solar without upgrading your lighting first can be inefficient and expensive.

"Solar power is fantastic renewable energy, particularly when combined with energy efficient lighting - but the cost of solar equipment can be a barrier.  Upgrading your lighting to high efficiency is much cheaper and quicker to implement than solar, and should be done first - as you will find you will then need a smaller and thus less expensive solar system.  Solar equipment costs substantially more than lighting components, so it makes sense to reduce your energy requirements beforehand.  By making your lighting as efficient as possible first, you substantially reduce your energy use and the capacity needed for solar -cutting your upfront costs and makes your payback time much quicker." 

How Much Money Can You Save With LED Lighting? Ask Macy's

More light at less wattage saves energy, requires fewer natural resources, reduces your carbon footprint, and your electric bills. Savings can be substantial, as many major department store chains have discovered.   

Payback periods for retrofits are often very short and can be under 2 years.  This was the case for retail giant, Macy's, whose payback for their conversion was 1.6 years. 

Macy's teamed up with NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) and received a $200,000 incentive from NYSERDA's Existing Facility Program to do a pilot program in New York.

Macy's initially retrofitted 17 New York stores with over 24,000 LED lights in a pilot program, netting savings of nearly 73% (over $674,000) per year.  

For retailers, light output and color rendering are critically important considerations for selling products.  Macy's replaced 47 watt halogen lamps with 12 watt LED after discovering the LEDs provided a superior quality of light nothing like the earlier versions.  In fact, many color temperature filters and tones can be achieved to suit.  This includes at the newly constructed building at the Westfield South Shore Mall in Bay Shore, NY (Suffolk County).

So pleased with their results, Macy's reportedly then installed over 1.1 million LED's in more than 800 Macy's & Bloomingdale's stores across the United States (savings figures from the additional installations are not available) and have pledged to using LED fixtures exclusively in any new construction or store renovations.

Macy's isn't stopping there - energized by the dramatic changes, they are adding solar panels and other efficiencies to stores as part of a broader sustainability initiative they have committed to, rising to one of the top five companies in the nation using solar energy as of 2012  (Walmart was at #1, joined by GM, Ikea, and Kohl's).

Macy's joined the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge to be a role model for other buildings to go greener. 

IKEA leads the way in Renewable Energy!

Image courtesy of IKEA

Energy efficiency is gaining momentum in the commercial sector! Forward thinking Swedish retailer #IKEA is completely committed to #energyEfficiency - having #electrical #contractors install new #solar rooftop arrays on 90% of it's stores so far - including NY- all across the country. They most recently completed their 40th U.S. installation in #Florida, their 4th in that state.

IKEA has committed $1.8 BILLON dollars through 2015 to invest globally in their 350+ stores on #RenewableEnergy! Their goal is to run their stores on 100% renewable #energy.

Read more about IKEA's project here:
www.ikea.com/us/en/about_ikea/newsitem/miami-solar-installation





Read more about solar upgrades for commercial facilities here:
http://www.rolandselectric.com/our-services/green-solutions

http://www.rolandselectric.com/images/PDF/hqsolarupgrade.pdf



ON #LONGISLAND, NY? We do solar, wind power, and energy efficiency audits and installations. For info and quotes on a #commercial solar installation at your own #NassauCounty or #SuffolkCounty property or facility, contact #RolandsElectric at 800-242-8080 info@rolandselectric.com
 

Take the Shock Out of Your Electric Bills

Take the Shock Out of Your Electric Bills

Benefits of High Efficiency Lighting

For your upcoming projects, keep in mind that technological advances have improved the energy efficiency of fluorescent lighting systems by 30% to more than 50% - these are direct savings clients immediately reap once installed

Additional energy saving solutions will further reduce their monthly utility bill and operating expenses, leaving you with extra capital for other purposes.  To make it even more worthwhile, a tax deduction was created in 2005.  Recently expired at the end of 2013, we are waiting expectantly to hear news of a Congressional extension - so far there has not been.  Click here to view the original EPACT (551 page document).

This Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction that was created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) expired at the end of 2013.  The act cuts the owner's  initial cost of investing in energy efficient lighting through an accelerated tax deduction.   (between  $.30-$1.80/sq ft). 

Building owners (and some tenants) can do an up front full cost of a full upgrade/installation write off the first year of a full upgrade instead of the regular route of depreciating the expense over a span of approximately 30 years or more.  
 

An immediate deduction is a tremendous tax incentive for your client and should be brought to their attention during the development phase of a project.  The Act also allowed for a $.60 per sq. ft. tax deduction for those opting to do retrofits as opposed to a full new installation.  (Standards apply.) 

(Note that the current status and what the policy encompasses may change in the future, please check directly with EPACT for any changes and updates as this post may not reflect later changes.)