Lighting
Stables and Yards
How often has your blood pressure
shot up when the stable yard was so dark that
you tripped over a broom handle, or switched
the yard light on to experience a flash, a ping
and darkness? It is worth thinking about outside
lighting: how could it be improved? How could
running cost be halved? And how could changing
bulbs be reduced to only once every 2 - 5 years?
As the nights draw in after the equinox, now
is the time to upgrade the lighting in your
yard and stables.
The importance
of good lighting?
Firstly, it is an important
safety feature, both for you and your horses.
Secondly, you need enough light for stable tasks
to be carried out quickly and efficiently, especailly
if the vet has to work there after dark.
Thirdly, yard lighting is an integral part of
your security arrangements, either by providing
continuous light during the hourse of darkness,
or switching on at the approach of a person.
when you review your lighting,
consider the advantages of energy-efficient
light sources over traditional tungsten bulbs.
They do cost more to buy, but quickly pay for
themselves in two straightforward ways:-
1. Running Cost
An 18 watt low energy compact
fluorescent bulb gives out light equivalent
to an ordinary 100 watt bulb. This means that
it only used 1/5th of the electricity and therefore
costs 80% less to run. See
the table below
Cost
of electricity for 1 year
£
|
Evenings
(4hours average) |
All
Night
(12 hours average) |
| Traditional 100 watt bulb |
20.25 |
60.75 |
| Compact fluorescent bulb, 18 watt |
3.65 |
10.95 |
| Annual Saving |
16.60 |
40.98 |
(annual cost of electricity
used, assuming average cost @ 13.5p/kWh
The price of electricity has
increased by 50% in the last year, and is forecast
to rise by 20% for the next 5years, so these
savings will increase significantly over time.
|
