If your maintenance team spends 80% of their time replacing bulbs for outdated lighting, that’s a clear sign you need an LED lighting retrofit! This was the case for the General Hospital in Rimavská Sobota, Slovakia. The hospital consists of four buildings, and the time had come to replace the existing lighting system with a modern, more energy-efficient, and cost-effective solution.
We had the pleasure of working closely with local electrical contractor Martin Širochman from SVIETIME to make this LED retrofit a success.
What is an LED Lighting retrofit?
LED retrofitting involves upgrading an existing lighting system with energy-efficient LED technology. This process replaces outdated bulbs and fixtures with LEDs, reducing energy consumption, lowering maintenance costs, and providing better, longer-lasting illumination. With the EU banning CFL, T8, and T5 lamps as of 25th August 2023, and the UK enforcing the ban since 1st February 2024, transitioning to LED lighting is essential.
Reduce Maintenance Costs and Improve Energy Efficiency with LED Lighting
Hospital Rimavská Sobota had very clear objectives regarding what they wanted to achieve with this retrofit. Their primary goal was to cut down on the relentless maintenance costs from replacing bulbs and fluorescent tubes. On top of that, many of their old fixtures were overheating and guzzling energy, so a more efficient solution was required. Lastly, they wanted to bring their lighting system up to modern standards, ensuring better performance and compliance.
At ROBUS, we make LED retrofitting simple by eliminating the fuss and focusing on benefits like energy savings, sustainability, and improved lighting longevity. We can replace fluorescent lamps while preserving existing fixtures, and we can provide DALI dimming and emergency conversions as required. We offer all this and more while ensuring no unnecessary downtime, repainting, or replastering – which is important when retrofitting a busy hospital!
First Build Trust, Then Build the Lighting Design!
Experience has shown us that trust is essential to any lighting project, big or small. Our diligence and transparency were key reasons why Hospital Rimavská Sobota chose to partner with us for this retrofit. We encouraged their project management team to reach out to our existing customers, which played a key role in building trust and securing the partnership. Our track record of successful projects, both domestically and internationally, along with the superior quality and cost-efficiency of our products, distinguished us from competitors.
Once everyone was on board, we developed a robust strategy to fulfil the objectives and exceed expectations. We provided Hospital Rimavská Sobota with a comprehensive solution that included a detailed lighting design, including a lighting calculation, updated floor plans, and a room-by-room list outlining the necessary improvements and adjustments. This approach aimed to enhance energy efficiency, reduce maintenance demands, and bring the lighting system up to modern standards across the hospital buildings.
Choosing the Right LED Replacement
LED luminaires boast an 80% higher energy efficiency compared to their fluorescent alternatives, plus they have a payback period of just three months. So replacing outdated fittings with LED lighting is a no-brainer, but the specific environment must be considered to select the right LED replacement. For Hospital Rimavská Sobota, we determined the best replacements by matching the unique features of the products with the function of each space. We identified three primary luminaires that were ideal for the practical needs of the hospital.
MIRA Downlights
MIRA was specifically selected for areas such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Being dimmable, it was the ideal choice for ICUs where patients may need to be awakened during the night for medication. The dimmable feature ensures that staff can provide adequate lighting without disturbing patients, enhancing comfort for both patients and staff. MIRA provides the flexibility to choose between two power outputs and four different light temperatures.
SPEEDBEAM Batten
Most of the selected luminaries were from our SPEEDBEAM batten range. SPEEDBEAM is designed for easy installation and high efficiency, delivering up to 125Lm/W for impressive energy savings. It offers a unique combination of minimalistic design, high efficiency, and affordability. Lightweight and user-friendly, SPEEDBEAM makes replacing older fixtures a breeze. SPEEDBEAM also comes in a variety of lengths and power outputs, providing flexibility for different lighting requirements.
DALLAS Panels and STUDIO Downlights
For communal areas, DALLAS and STUDIO were installed. DALLAS is known for being highly cost-effective while meeting necessary Unified Glare Rating (UGR) requirements for comfortable lighting in administrative spaces. STUDIO features a uniquely flexible design, enabling it to fit into various cut-out sizes. These downlights also offer adjustable colour temperature options, allowing for customised lighting settings within different areas of the communal spaces.
Luminaire Material List for the Hospital
Overall, the selection of these lighting products was driven by their individual qualities and suitability for different areas within the hospital, focusing on factors such as design, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, glare control, and adaptability to specific lighting needs. This strategic deployment of various lighting products addressed specific needs across different areas of the hospital. Here is a breakdown of where they were installed:
In communal areas such as corridors and staircases:
- SPEEDBEAM 10W 600mm (423)
- SPEEDBEAM 20W 600mm (225)
- STUDIO 24W (58 piees)
Corridors connecting patient rooms and administrative areas:
- DALLAS 40W (85)
- SPEEDBEAM 40W 1200mm (355)
Administrative areas, examination rooms, laboratories, and patient rooms:
- SPEEDBEAM 40W 1200mm (323)
- MIRA 18/24W (51)
- DALLAS 40W (100)
- ATMOS 60W 600x1200mm (2)
- SPEEDBEAM 58W 1500mm (3)
The Result of Our LED Retrofit
Thanks to this lighting upgrade project, Hospital Rimavská Sobota achieved an energy reduction of nearly 52%. Previously, the total energy consumption was 93,728 kW, but together with SVIETIME we successfully reduced it to 45,063 kW. This substantial decrease in energy use translates to annual savings of over €23,000, demonstrating the impressive impact of a thorough LED retrofit!
Interested in Working with Us?
Get in contact today! Whether you simply want to chat through our services or kickstart a lighting project, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Email us at info@robus.com or call us directly.