The future is “green” for the University of Exeter; Dextra luminaires help secure financing for the educational sector

Salix’s environmental mission to encourage capital investment in energy saving technologies across the public sector, crosses paths with Dextra Group’s continued dedication to design, manufacture and deliver industry leading lighting solutions.

Thanks to Salix, an independent not-for-profit organisation funded by the Department for Energy and Climate Change and other government bodies, the University of Exeter was supplied the necessary up-front capital to invest in Dextra Lighting’s precision-engineered, energy saving LED luminaires. The green funding initiative enables public sector organisations across the U.K. to participate in tackling climate change by increasing their energy efficiency, whilst improving their facilities and working environments through educational lighting.

Since 2004, their successful funding programmes allow educational institutions, such as the University of Exeter, to apply for 100% interest-free improvement loans which are repaid through the financial savings delivered by the projects. Once the loan is repaid, the continued savings will enable the university to redistribute the accumulated capital for other budgets, such as the purchase of equipment. In other words, the more energy efficient the product, the quicker the loan is paid off and the more money is channelled towards improving the university. Unsurprisingly, Salix states that LED lighting upgrades are amongst the most popular spend on technologies in colleges and universities nationwide.

Once funding was approved, the University of Exeter’s electrical engineer immediately contacted Dextra Lighting to deliver a complete LED upgrade for their sports park facilities, working alongside main contractors Mitie and electrical contractors Redrock Electrical in Dawlish. Dextra Lighting’s wide range of state-of-the-art LED luminaires are exactly the type of products supported by the funding programme, due to their excellent energy saving capabilities. Beyond the products themselves, Dextra Group offer a total service to its customers, from providing highly flexible bespoke lighting solutions, to quick and easy disposal, and recycling of replaced lighting in accordance to WEEE regulations. These added perks in service all contribute to ensure a rapid financial return on investment without losing sight of responsibilities towards the environment.

High performance lighting for a High Performance facility

Refurbished and expanded in late 2014, the University of Exeter’s Athlete Development Centre (ADC) is the region’s leading High Performance training environment, supporting over 450 top athletes. Major capital investment in the facility has helped attract prospective sports scholars from across the U.K, making it a vital asset for the university.

The ADC now boasts an extensive LED lighting upgrade as part of its new expansion project. While energy efficiency was a top priority, quality of light and aesthetic appeal were not in the least compromised. Dextra Lighting proposed a selection of high performance LED replacements for the facility’s previous T5 fluorescent fittings, which were successfully installed across a number of specialised weight training areas and gymnasiums.

The MODLED range; for efficiency, style and versatility

The popular and ultra-efficient MODLED recessed luminaire was selected for areas with relatively low ceilings (approximately 2.3m). Its elegant and minimalistic flat panel design, offers an attractive and clutter-free option where space is limited. Available in a wide range of outputs between 1750 lumen and 7600 lumen in 600mm x 600m fittings, the versatile MODLED range is suited for a variety of applications including educational, office and commercial environments.

The MODLED range also utilises high transmission panels with excellent diffusion for maximum efficiency and visual comfort. Its efficient optical design and impressive light output ratio of up to 85%, comfortably provide a greater uniformity of light, significant glare reduction and generally preventing an oppressive environment in lower ceiling spaces.

For the ADC project, the MODLED was delivered in both a 3500 lumen and 4500 lumen package to conform to the gymnasium’s building specifications. The lower 3500 lumen option is ideal for retrofit applications, where replacement usually occurs on a one-to-one basis and luminaires are spaced closer together. The higher output, 4500 lumen package however, is designed for areas where maximum luminaire spacing is feasible, allowing the client to minimise energy consumption and capital cost of installation by reducing the total number of luminaires installed.

The MODLED Surface LED offered a discreet and contemporary surface mount installation for the increased ceiling heights of the facility’s teaching areas. It is available in a higher band of lumen outputs than its flat panel counterpart, starting at a minimum of 3500 lumen to a maximum of 6800 lumen.

The ultra-versatile, high performance Graduate LED

The Graduate Surface LED is designed for surface mount installation and is suitable for most ceilings types. Its high output, 8750 lumen package was installed to achieve the substantial lighting requirements for the facility’s 6m high gymnasium, delivering a pervasive and uniform light coverage. By utilising the latest Philips LEDs, this ultra-versatile luminaire can be tailored to almost any application, offering an extremely wide range of lumen outputs starting as low as 3500 lumen to as far as 14400 lumen. These options are available in either 600mm x 600mm or 1200mm x 600mm sized fittings.

The luminaire is constructed with a robust diffuser alongside injection moulded end caps and steel housing, which all add protection against the rigours of busy educational environments. With a gloss white powder painted finish and aluminium gull-wing reflectors, the Graduate Surface LED offers a stylish appearance which can complement a variety of interior designs and environments. A highly efficient opal polycarbonate diffuser also ensures that an optimum light output ratio is maintained with superb distribution of the LED light source.

With this exceptional array of bespoke, high performance and energy efficient luminaires, the ADC facility can now invite students to enjoy a brighter, more stimulating training environment, whilst the University of Exeter can look forward to their investment paying out substantial dividends in energy savings in the near future.