Friday, Feb. 20, 2009 | 2 a.m.
When Las Vegas native Robby Adams went off to college in California, soccer — not energy — was on his mind.
But years spent in the San Francisco area left an impression — one he couldn’t shake — that he should do more to conserve energy and help the environment.
After a series of unsatisfying jobs, a few months ago he found his calling in the lighting department of Yale Chase, a large warehouse-facility products distributor.
Today he’s attempting to spread energy-efficient lighting across the Las Vegas Valley as the local sales representative for Orion Energy Systems’ energy-saving commercial lighting products.
“What I found is that this product is almost too good to be true,” Adams said. “That actually makes it harder to sell. People often don’t believe me at first when I tell them how much they can save.”
What they can save is a lot of money and electricity.
Orion has developed a lighting system that uses basic General Electric florescent light tubes incorporated in a vented lamp made in such a way that little heat is emitted and light is reflected to maximize it while keeping the lamp cool.
The lamp was developed to replace metal highlights with a system that gives off a more-natural looking light while using about half the energy.
Most systems pay for themselves in the form of lower electric bills in less than two years.
“Renewable energy systems are great for reducing your carbon footprint, but they take a long time see a return on investment,” Adams said. “If companies are looking to lower their carbon footprint and their electric bills, this is a good place to start. And it puts money back in their pockets that they can invest in their business.”
The products are particularly attractive today as companies look for ways to save money, reduce maintenance costs and improve productivity.
Orion offers a wide range of products from a basic lighting system to timed or motion-sensor activated systems that can save even more electricity. They even offer solar tubelike natural lighting solutions called light pipes that bring in even more natural light.
At a time when credit is almost impossible to get, Orion has secured a partnership with Wells Fargo Bank that allows its customers to finance installation of Orion’s lighting system with no money down.
And the system also qualifies for rebates from NV Energy through its Surebet program, which can be incorporated into the financing for larger orders.
And all the prepurchase evaluations, consultations and cost estimates are free.
Most companies pay off the loan within two years, using money saved on their electric bills, Adams said.
For now, Adams is focusing on local warehouses. A local printing operation and Cysco plant have already adopted Orion’s lighting system. The company’s products are growing in popularity nationwide amid large multinational corporations such as Pepsi as well as big box store corporations.
Adams sees warehouses as the low hanging fruit.
He sees a future in which he’s upgrading offices, parking lots, casinos, gymnasiums, grocery stores, car dealerships, stores, schools and even temperature-controlled food processing and storage warehouses.
“There is no application where this doesn’t work,” Adams said. “The opportunities are endless.”
For more information, log on to www.oriones.com or call 445-1797.
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