Bracknell Forest Homes has been working with the Energy Saving Trust (EST) to improve the communal lighting in a trial scheme at Ladybank flats in Birch Hill. The project is being part funded by EST to encourage the use of the most energy efficient types of lighting, which are Light Emitting Diodes (LED).

The new lighting improvements will result in greatly improved lighting levels in the buildings, as well as savings in carbon emissions and reduced energy bills. This means the money saved can be invested in other services to customers and the installation of emergency lighting. The new lamps also have a much longer lifespan than the current fittings and cost less to maintain and run.

Miss Hancock who lives at Ladybank, commented: “The new lighting is a lot better and I am very pleased with it. The improved lighting is safer and brighter.”

Bracknell Forest Homes successfully bid for a grant from EST, which meant we were able to purchase the LED lighting at less than a third of the usual price. The lights benefit from reduced maintenance, have an integral emergency lighting provision and will achieve a reduced electricity consumption. The lights are vandal resistant and more attractive than standard conventional fittings.

The LED light fittings have a 50,000 running hours guarantee, which gives over five years' continuous use.

The lights will achieve savings and a reduced carbon footprint in two ways:

No replacement fittings costs for at least five years - normally with fluorescent fittings there would be in the region of 10 lamp changes in the same time period. 

Reduced energy consumption which will equate to an overall saving of approximately £200 per year at current electricity prices.

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