Dump the Tubes!
Why retrofitting advertising sites with LED illumination is still relevant
As digital OOH signage has grown its global market share, retrofitting fluorescent tube lightboxes with LED systems has taken a back seat. This is not surprising, DOOH is a huge success. Revenue has increased, new clients have arrived, and operating costs have reduced.
Most OOH companies have a portfolio of backlit displays. As digital sites have inherited the premium locations, backlight revenue has decreased and sites have been removed. ‘Classic’ sites are no longer front of mind for senior management.
However, classic backlights are not going away and the case for LED retrofit systems is stronger than ever. Every backlight which has fluorescent tubes installed (or an inefficient LED system) is wasting energy, compromising corporate sustainability goals and failing to present advertising copy at its best.
With pay back times as little as 12 months, these benefits are economically attractive and can generate a powerful market message to brand partners. In short, a company that is still running sites with tubes is wasting money and taking a risk with its brand.
You will reduce energy costs
In most projects, a retrofit LED system will save around 80% in energy when compared to fluorescent tubes.
As LEDs have become ever more efficient, light output has more than doubled for every watt of energy input. This means that energy savings for a standard display continue to decrease.
At the same time, energy prices have risen by 30% and are projected to keep going up*. More efficient lighting and rising energy prices combine to make the energy cost saving greater every year.
You can reduce your carbon footprint
Every kWhr of electricity used generates around 0.3kg of CO2. An 80% energy saving is an 80% carbon output saving and a huge boost to corporate sustainability.
If you pay a CO2 tax, this is a further financial saving resulting from the adoption of LEDs.
You will save money on maintenance and repair
It’s not only energy that is becoming more expensive, labour costs are increasing as well.
And so are parts costs.
As fluorescent tubes are made obsolete by manufacturers and banned by government legislation, costs will climb quickly. Availability for all tubes will become a problem in the next few years as tube factories reach the end of their life and are not replaced. Associated spares, such as ballasts will also become difficult to source.
Taken together, keeping fluorescent tube displays up and running is going to become difficult and expensive.
*All stats from Eurostat
Return on investment is the key:
Of course, the driving factor in any decision is return on investment.
Year 1 capital costs are quickly recovered by energy and maintenance savings:
Investment pay back can be as little as 12 months. Depending on the environmental conditions and the daily hours of illumination, project lifetime is at least 5 years and can exceed 10.
These models are based on today’s energy, parts and labour costs. As these increase, the argument strengthens further. Energy cost has the biggest impact:
Hence, an LED retrofit is a protection against rising energy prices since the cost impact is so much less.
*energy costs are euro per kWhr
** all figures are based on a 18m2 backlit large format display
The financial bottom line …
- Time to payback is usually a maximum of 2 years and more likely to be less than 12 months
- LED retrofitting an advertising site is a highly efficient hedge against rising energy prices
- Lifetime savings are several times the original investment
There are also intangible benefits …
- Your sites will look great
- Your brand will be enhanced
- You have a positive message for the industry
- Your carbon footprint will shrink
- Your site reliability will be close to 100%
About Bright Green Technology
Bright Green Technology pioneered the use of LED backlighting for OOH sites and remains in the forefront of development. Our technology transforms the effectiveness of display advertising and signage.
At the forefront of LED lighting technology since 2005, we are leaders in illuminating Out of Home displays. As technology has moved on we have stayed ahead, introducing RGB lighting systems, remote lighting control and digital interfaces. At Bright Green Technology, we know exactly what our clients need and how to deliver it efficiently.
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