Smart reuse of 600 luminaires in Smedjan parking garage

When upgrading the lighting in Smedjan parking garage in Jönköping, Sweden, the property owner chose to invest in reuse instead of buying new – and the solution was Fagerhult ReLight. By reusing 618 customised luminaire frames, the climate impact could be reduced by as much as 6.3 tonnes of CO₂e compared to newly purchased materials.

Smedjan parking garage is unique in its design, with spiral lanes without traditional floors, and recessed lighting luminaires in the ceiling. The luminaires were installed when the parking garage was built in the early 2000s, and when the old fluorescent tubes were replaced with LEDs, a problem occurred: the luminaire frames were custom-made and adapted to the cast concrete.

“We needed to find a solution that worked with the existing frames and dimensions of the concrete structure, and ReLight made it possible,” says Martin Hulthe Landberg, Technical Administrator at Jönköping Municipality.

Easy reuse with ReLight

The project began with a couple of luminaires being sent to Fagerhult, who used them to create a prototype. After a few rounds of development and idea exchange, the new LED kits were ready for installation. The installers could easily clear the chassis and fit the upgraded light source in place – reusing the existing luminaire frames without having to dismantle them from the concrete structure.

“During the work, we closed the parking garage in stages and the installation went smoothly. We changed three to four luminaires per hour.”

Each ReLight project is based on a clear core idea. The characteristics, energy efficiency, and light comfort of the luminaire must meet the same high standards of quality, safety, and durability as a new luminaire.

Lower consumption and better light

Even before the luminaires were updated, a lighting control system was in place. It could also be reused and integrated into the new solution. After switching to LEDs, energy consumption has been reduced by around 30% in the first six months after commissioning.

“Lighting accounts for a large proportion of energy consumption, so changing to LED had a very positive effect. We also believe that we will see further reductions when we measure over the full year and when we fine-tune the system. At the same time, we have a much better light environment in the parking garage and that is a win in itself.”

“Lighting accounts for a large proportion of energy consumption, so changing to LED had a very positive effect. We also believe that we will see further reductions when we measure over the full year and when we fine-tune the system."
— Martin Hulthe Landberg, Technical Administrator at Jönköping Municipality

More projects to come

In total, 618 luminaires were reused, which meant that 2,609 kg of sheet steel could be reused. This corresponds to a climate saving of 6,288 kg CO₂e – compared to if the same amount of material had been produced from virgin raw material. The ReLight solution has now been ordered for another parking garage, and the property owner see great opportunities to reduce the climate impact of their buildings through reuse.

“There is often nothing wrong with the chassis or the cables. We can keep the same design and standard, save money and find a more sustainable solution. It feels very good,” says Martin Hulthe Landberg.