Jun 6 2014
World Pork Expo - An Iowa swine producer, using more than 75,000 compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) a year, was the inspiration behind the development of the AgrificientTM LED, the first retro-fit LED light specifically designed for swine facilities. Created by lighting design engineers at Iowa-based Energyficient Systems, Inc., the Agrificient LED is the most rugged, longest-lasting light in agriculture.
The Agrificient(TM) LED, the first retro-fit LED light specifically designed for swine facilities. Created by the lighting design engineers at Iowa-based Energyficient Systems, Inc., the Agrificient LED is the most rugged, longest-lasting light in agriculture. (PRNewsFoto/Energyficient Systems, Inc.)
With several patents pending, "The purpose-built design of the Agrificient LED addresses the daily challenges found with traditional swine barn lighting," says Chad Palmer, Energyficient CEO and design manager. Challenges including: eliminating water penetration from the outside and inside, insects and water collecting in the jar, bulb burnout and glass jar breakage from over-heating.
The Agrificient LED will be available in late-July 2014 for national distribution and is already trending favorably with pork producers. "The design and structure of the Agrificient LED solves all of the problems I have in our barns," said one of the world's largest pork producers. "The CFL lamps are burning out before our barns are even finished being built."
Agrificient LED Highlights
Superior construction
- Low profile.
- Exclusive one-piece design simply screws into original glass jar bases.
- Made of polycarbonate and ultra-tough nylon.
- Light output is comparable to a 125W incandescent and 23W CFL light bulb.
- Polycarbonate lens is diffused white to reduce glare.
Heat control
"The secret to the life of an LED is controlling the heat it generates," says Palmer.
When a bulb goes beyond the maximum temperature by 10oC, the bulb life is cut in half. The exclusive Active Thermal Management System included in the Agrificient LED constantly circulates the cooler ambient air past a special heat sink, keeping the electronics cooler than other methods.
Waterproof/bug proof
The Agrificient LED waterproof design protects against water from typical power washing and the ingress of water through the conduits that fill the traditional glass jar fixtures. It also prevents insects from collecting inside the lens.
Efficient lumens
The Agrificient LED is focused at 120 degrees to project light where it needs to be – on the animal. However, the overall beam spread is 180 degrees so that some of the light still shines on the ceiling of a facility to offer better visibility throughout.
Backed by a six-year, warranty, the Agrificient LED for swine facilities is projected to save 86 percent of the cost of electricity for lighting compared to traditional incandescent lamps and is expected to last six to 10 years under normal hog structure conditions.
When compared to the standard CFL bulb used in the majority of swine barns today, the Agrificient LED reduces ownership costs by 46 percent, creating annual cost savings of more than $4000 in material and energy costs alone.*
To find out more about the Agrificient LED, producers can contact Energyficient's distribution partner, IVESCO, at 800-247-5077.
* Based on the performance of the Agrificient LED when compared to a 23W CFL, running 12 hours/day.