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Energy-efficient heritage lighting for the Vale of Glamorgan
How do you balance the competing demands of preserving the heritage of a town while moving towards more modern and efficient lighting technology? It’s a dilemma faced by many communities, but we successfully tackled it.
The Vale of Glamorgan is a popular destination in South Wales, with picturesque towns, rolling countryside and a dynamic coastline. The Vale is also home to Cardiff Airport, making it a convenient location for tourists.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Project Zero aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Streetlighting is central to this commitment. In order to fulfil this objective, the council have launched many lantern upgrade projects on residential roads as well as installing new LED streetlights along strategic routes. As part of this wider project, the heritage lighting of Penarth had to be tackled to reduce the carbon footprint produced by street lighting and improve the aged lighting within these areas.
Matt Buckley, Street Lighting Officer, Vale of Glamorgan Council, says, “One of the key advantages of upgrading lanterns to LED is the significant improvement in energy efficiency. Compared to traditional lighting, LED lights consume considerably less energy, resulting in reduced running costs and a smaller carbon footprint. LED lights are also known for their longevity, lasting significantly longer than other lighting options with fewer maintenance costs and fewer disruptions.”
As a result, Acrospire’s Birkdale lanterns, which boast a classic design, were installed by the Council’s electrical contractors Centregreat, have been installed throughout Penarth, adding to the town’s historical aesthetic. The lanterns are manufactured using a high-pressure die-casting process, finished in a Marine grade paint, which ensures durability.
Matt, continues, “LED lights are built to withstand challenges such as weather conditions and temperature fluctuations as they are inherently durable and resistant to shock and vibrations. Unlike traditional lighting option, LED’s do not contain fragile filaments or glass components, making them less susceptible to damage.”
The 4000K LED array lanterns also feature a unique LED lighting system with low power consumption while providing high-quality, uniform light.
In addition to the Birkdale lanterns, Acrospire’s Muirfield lanterns have been installed at various locations throughout Penarth. These lanterns are designed to be energy-efficient and are equipped with an LED chip on board engine that offers up to 100,000 hours of life.
During the upgrade project, residents expressed their desire to preserve the town’s original Victorian cast iron columns. However, the columns were not feasible to use with the newer technology due to their current state.
Victorian-style cast iron columns are known for their ornate details, intricate design and historic appeal. When refurbishing these cast iron columns, it was crucial to maintain their authenticity and charm to preserve the identity of Penarth. The introduction of LED lighting allowed for a seamless integration of modern technology while keeping the original beauty and character of the structure.
Martyn Rich, Area Sales Manager, Acrospire, says, “Penarth residents are incredibly proud of the town’s heritage, so we worked closely with the council and Centregreat to establish an arrangement where the old cast columns could work with the new lanterns.” The Victorian style columns are architectural treasures that add charm and elegance to any space. These timeless structures have withstood the test of time, but as we embrace the advancements of the modern era, it is important to find ways to blend the old with the new.
Mike Marshall, Contracts Manager, Centregreat adds, “We have a team of engineers who specialise in the strengthening and regeneration of heritage structures. The Victorian style columns are architectural treasures that add charm and elegance to any space. These timeless structures have withstood the test of time, but as we embrace the advancements of the modern era, it is important to find ways to blend the old with the new. The Acrospire lanterns worked perfectly while keeping costs low.”
Most recently, the Muirfield lanterns have been installed at Penarth Marina, running along the waterfront. These lanterns provide bright and efficient lighting while enhancing the aesthetics of the waterfront area.
By implementing its innovative lighting solution, Acrospire was able to help reduce the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s carbon footprint by 7.32 Tonne annually and reduce energy consumption and the associated costs by 83% while preserving its unique character and history. The residents can now enjoy the benefits of modern technology without sacrificing the charm and ambience of their beloved community.
Matt concludes, “Acrospire has been a trusted lighting manufacturer for the Vale of Glamorgan for a long time, and their products have always impressed us with their quality. While we considered other manufacturers for our projects, we found that Acrospire’s solutions best fit our preferences and budget. Working with the Area Sales Manager Martyn Rich has been a pleasure, as he’s always willing to visit the site, discuss options, and provide effective solutions. We value our partnership with Acrospire and look forward to working with them in the future.”
Notes:
Values are estimated from UMSUG figures:
Acrospire has been a trusted lighting manufacturer for the Vale of Glamorgan for a long time, and their products have always impressed us with their quality. While we considered other manufacturers for our projects, we found that Acrospire’s solutions best fit our preferences and budget Matt Buckley, Street Lighting Officer, Vale of Glamorgan Council
Acrospire has been a trusted lighting manufacturer for the Vale of Glamorgan for a long time, and their products have always impressed us with their quality. While we considered other manufacturers for our projects, we found that Acrospire’s solutions best fit our preferences and budget
Our story
The idea for Acrospire was formed in 2012 when founder Tim envisioned a different kind of lighting manufacturer: one that would not only deliver outstanding customer experiences but also prioritise fair treatment for its employees.
We’ve come a long way
Motivated by the belief the industry wanted and needed better, Tim shared his plan to establish his own venture with Hatty, who simply couldn't let him do it alone.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Protecting local jobs and ensuring the best quality possible.
Working from a rented office by day and assembling lanterns in a garage at night, Tim and Hatty set to work.
11 Years later
Acrospire now inhabits a 14000² ft manufacturing facility in Basingstoke, Hampshire. We’re a proud partner of the Made in Britain scheme, ISO9001 certified and a member of all relevant lighting industry trade bodies.
Along with great relationships with our customers and a great team! We've attracted some of the most experienced members of the lighting industry, all by following one golden rule.
A simple ethos
That runs through all that we do. Customers who have made the switch to Acrospire have found working with us to be a breath of fresh air.
If you’re a professional in the lighting industry, you’re probably familiar with warranties that range from 3 to 10 years, with extensions available on special request or at additional cost. At Acrospire, where we’re proud to be different, we offer a market-leading simple 12-year warranty, as standard.
We focus on our customers not our competition. We manufacture our products in the UK: with the exception of our solar products, our supply chain is within a 60-mile radius of our factory in Basingstoke: to maintain greater control over quality. We al
Speed of response is crucial when it comes to resolving warranty issues. If we’ve made a mistake, we own it, get to the root cause, and fix it as quickly as possible. We believe in timely communication with our customers and making the resolution pro
Test and Test Again
We believe in independent testing and certification. Our new product development is in line with ISO 9001. Many of our products hold ENEC Certification. To meet the requirements of ENEC we also send random product samples for third party safety testi
Our product design is another key factor in our ability to offer a 12-year warranty. We value engineer rather than cost cut, never compromising on quality. We stick to our processes and engage with our supply chain to ensure that every product meets