Opal Healthcare, a leading provider of aged care services in Australia, recognised the need to enhance the lighting infrastructure across its extensive portfolio of homes. Lowa Energy Solutions, was enlisted to assess and implement upgrades that would not only improve energy efficiency but also create a more comfortable and supportive environment for residents.

Objectives

This case study examines Lowa Lighting's collaboration with Opal Healthcare to achieve the following key objectives:

Enhanced Resident Well-being: Upgrading lighting to create a warm, inviting, and safe environment that promotes residents' physical and emotional well-being.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Implementing energy-efficient lighting solutions to reduce Opal Healthcare's environmental footprint and operational costs.
Compliance and Safety: Ensuring that all lighting upgrades adhere to relevant Australian standards and regulations for aged care facilities.
Cost-Effectiveness: Developing a lighting strategy that balances upfront investment with long-term energy savings and maintenance costs.

Assessment Phase:

Stakeholder Consultation: Extensive consultations were held with Opal Healthcare's residents, staff, and management to understand their needs, preferences, and expectations regarding lighting. This feedback was crucial in shaping the lighting strategy to prioritize resident well-being and satisfaction.
Infrastructure Audit: A thorough audit of Opal Healthcare's existing lighting infrastructure, comprising approximately 29,000 light fixtures, was conducted. This audit assessed key parameters such as:

Illuminance levels: Measuring the actual light levels in different areas to ensure they met recommended standards for aged care facilities.
Colour temperature: Evaluating the colour of the light (warm or cool) to create the desired atmosphere and support residents' circadian rhythms.
Glare control: Identifying areas with excessive glare and potential solutions to minimize discomfort for residents and staff.
Energy consumption: Analysing current energy usage to identify opportunities for improvement and cost savings.

Implementation Phase:

Lighting Design and Installation: Based on the assessment findings and stakeholder input, Lowa Lighting developed a tailored lighting strategy for their portfolio. This strategy incorporated the following key elements:

Lux levels and lighting temperature, for each key areas of the home, bedroom, toilets, living areas, dayrooms & corridors

Lowa supplied and managed the installed & manage the lighting solution across a portfolio of over 50 home over a 12 months period
Ongoing Support and Maintenance: Lowa Lighting provided comprehensive support and maintenance services to ensure the long-term optimal performance of the upgraded lighting systems. This included regular inspections, troubleshooting, and proactive maintenance to address any issues promptly.

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