Intelligent lighting saves money and the planet

A £15,000 investment in new eco-friendly lighting at Hull’s Queens Court set to meet its return on investment target.

Managing agents Garness Jones say that costs savings of between £10,000 and £12,000 a year are expected as a result of the overhaul, which included fitting movement-sensitive microwave detection equipment.

In all 53 microwave detection sensors in 21 areas of the seven-storey, 115 apartment building have been fitted enabling lights to automatically come on and go off when people enter and exit the buildings shared areas.

The new sensors leave stairwells and emergency lighting unaffected.

According to Tony Douglass, owner of Merlx Electrical, which installed the lighting, the microwave detectors’ sensitivity and range means that they can be installed in long corridors where lights have previously been on 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“This was a fabulous job to do because the customer got a direct saving, and in this climate of recession a technology that can save money relatively simply and quickly is very, very positive,” he added.

“There is potentially a plethora of jobs of a similar nature in the city providing the same environmental and cost-saving benefits.”

Hans van Nieuwkerk, a surveyor for Garness Jones, said other properties were now being considered for conversion including City Exchange – a 40 apartment block on the corner of Lowgate and Alfred Gelder Street in central Hull.