Kia ora Direct Energy Solutions,
I am writing to express my appreciation for the outstanding service provided by Direct Energy Solutions, specifically through the collaboration with Mr. Benji Stretton. Our school recently underwent a comprehensive LED upgrade, and the experience with your company has been exceptional.

The thorough explanation of the upgrade process ensured that I was well-informed, and the execution of the project was carried out with precision. The upgrade has not only enhanced the aesthetics of our school but has also contributed to a more energy-efficient and sustainable lighting solution.

One aspect of your service that truly impressed us was the prompt response of your electricians, who efficiently carried out the installation over a weekend. Their ability to work quickly without compromising quality, coupled with their attention to cleanliness, was commendable. We appreciate the effort they put into removing any mess and ensuring minimal disruption to our school activities.

Based on our positive experience, I would recommend Direct Energy Solutions and, in particular, Mr. Benji Stretton, to other kura seeking energy solutions. The professionalism, expertise, and dedication demonstrated by your team have made a significant difference to our school, and we are grateful for the excellent service provided.

Dear James,

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and endorse the benefits from the Schools Energy Saving Programme.

We found the process to be very easy. Michael Black came and explained the whole process to us of converting our existing lights to LED lighting, at no cost to us. After looking into the process, it was confirmed to us that we would qualify for an interest-free loan.

The installation was a huge process but the contractors were lovely to deal with and all the old lights were disposed of properly, with no extra work for our staff. Now that the lights have been fully installed, the difference they have made has been remarkable throughout the school.

The monthly savings on reduced power consumption will pay off the interest free loan in approximately 5 years. After the loan is repaid, it is all extra money that we can then put back into our school for our students needs.

All communication with Michael has been easy and our questions were answered promptly and efficiently.

Bucklands Beach Primary School is happy to recommend this programme to other schools and encourage them to take up this offer.

To whom it may concern,

In mid 2018 we were approached by one of the team at Direct Energy Solutions (DES) to discuss the benefits of upgrading our lighting for little or no cost to the school. This would be achieved by installing LED lighting throughout the school, being cost neutral, funded through savings in electricity costs and by way of an interest-free loan.

A thorough investigation by DES of our power consumption profile and an audit of our lighting infrastructure, as it was then, followed. During the investigation phase, it was noted by DES that our lighting network, in our original blocks, was at that time old, inefficient and possible prone to failure.

This phase culminated in the proposal qualifying for a loan (funded through savings). A full proposal was presented to the Board of Trustees who quickly saw its merits.

During this time, DES consultants were in regular contact, willing to provide those details that we needed to make an informed decision about moving forward on a fully funded project (to take just under 5 years). The contract documentation and associated paperwork was timely and well explained, which gave us confidence in DES as an organisation. As it happened, we were able to fund the replacement from our own resources and DES worked closely with our Accounts Department to manage this part of the process.

The install team worked over the Christmas break, causing a minimum amount of disruption and mess with the old lights taken away and disposed of in an “eco fashion”. Fittings were swapped out like for like where possible and you can hardly see where replacement has taken place.

Throughout the project, Ben, James, and DES staff and contractors have been totally professional, knowledgeable and forthcoming. They have worked to get the best deal for our College. All communications have been timely and as a school the level of service we have received have been totally professional.

We look forward to the savings in power consumption (and our electricity bills). Our staff and students are benefiting from a modern, safe and healthy lighting network.

I am happy to recommend Ben and James to other schools, and encourage them to investigate the possible benefits that may accrue for their school.

Dear Michael,

Thank you for your work to introduce us to the opportunity to benefit from the schools energy saving programme.

The benefit of converting all of our interior and exterior lights to modern LED ones at a minimal/affordable cost, has been great.

The installation itself was accomplished extremely efficiently and any follow up work required was also handled most promptly.

Our teachers and students are now benefitting from the much improved quality of light in our classrooms and all other areas.

The monthly savings on reduced power consumption pays for the LED light upgrade and will see us pay off the interest-free loan in approximately four and a half years. When the loan is repaid the savings to the school will kick in most valuably.

I strongly recommend other schools participate and take up this offer. It is absolutely worthwhile to take the time to listen to the presentation and take the opportunity to save money for their school. I don’t imagine there are too many schools who are happy to pay more than they have for electricity. Congratulations for helping us to become more sustainable.

Dear James,

I wanted to take the opportunity to both thank you and endorse the benefits from the schools energy saving programme.

The process has been fantastic and so easy – Ben booked a visit to outline the EECA programme – the benefits of converting our existing lights to LED’s at a minimal affordable cost. After looking through the school it was confirmed that we would qualify for the interest free loan and through the savings we would make it was an offer too good not to take up.

Everyone has been knowledgeable and helpful throughout all stages o the process and been absolutely lovely to work with. The process itself was easy and installation was a huge job but the contractors were delightful even having our old lights taken away and disposed of properly. Now the lights have been fully installed the difference they have made has been remarkable throughout the school.

The monthly savings on reduced power consumption will pay off the interest free loan in approximately 4.5 years. After the loan is repaid it is all money that we can use back in our school – great for our students learning.

All communication has been easy and questions were answered promptly – in fact the level of service received from both yourself James and everyone we have dealt with has exceeded all our expectations.

I am very happy to recommend to other schools and encourage them to take up this offer.

Thank you once again to you and your team.

Dear Michael,

I would like to thank you and DES, as well as endorse the process that you lead us through.

For our school, this was a comparatively large investment, even with the interest-free loan, and I felt that you guided us through the decision-making process so that we could make an informed decision. Although not needed, I also appreciated your offer to discuss this directly with the Board.

I can see the difference the upgraded lighting has made throughout the school, as well as the obvious long-term cost savings. Teachers have commended on the improved lighting in the teaching spaces and we will no longer have to carry this cost through our 5YA, as we upgrade each area.

The actual upgrade was very efficient and had minimal impact on the running of the school. Workers were polite and a pleasure to have on site, with most of the work completed while children were on holiday. Workers were flexible and accomodating to our changing needs, both during the holidays and when the children arrived. I also appreciated the follow up with the job thoroughly checked after completion and a follow up after a couple of weeks. A couple of minor problems sorted straight away. All in all, it was a very efficient and easy process with minimal work and energy required by the school. Thank you.

To whom it may concern,

I contacted Allen at DES following my enquiry about the loan available to fund a comprehensive LED lighting upgrade at our school.

Allen came to visit and explained the savings both in terms of electricity and maintenance with the fittings he could provide.

We had a walk through the school to record all the fittings then Allen compiled a spreadsheet which showed a payback in less than 5 years, as well as an immediate improvement in lighting for our staff and students.

With board approval we were ready to go.

Allen came back to the school to check the number and type of fittings which numbered just under 1000! During this visit, we worked with our caretaker to design a solution to some outdoor walkway lights which involved making some plywood templates and inserting downlights, rather than replacing bulbs in an existing fitting or trying to replace these dated fittings.

We chose 4k lights for all classrooms and 6k light for the office areas. Our students and staff are really enjoying this light now they have become used to it. The exterior lights have made a huge difference at lighting up our school where our cameras are more effective, and the school is safer in the dark.

The contractors that DES sent were great, they worked around us completing most of the work in the school holidays then prioritised the work away from student areas once the term started. Our caretaker worked in with them and the job went very smoothly.

Overall the process was quick and straightforward, and our loan repayments start in the New Year.

There has been an immediate impact on our energy bill so long may this continue. We are happy to recommend DES.

Dear James,

I wanted to take this opportunity to both thank you for introducing us to the opportunity to benefit from the schools energy saving programme and endorse it as well.

Your representative Michael Black made a cold call to me and briefly outlined this new programme. The benefits from converting all of our interior and exterior lights to modern LED ones at a minimal/affordable cost, was too good not to participate in.

Michael quickly convinced us that the benefits of the interest-free loan to install new LED lights and he subsequent savings, were truly worthy of us taking up the offer. Michael was knowledgeable and helpful at all stages of the process. The paperwork was easy to follow and our EO was very happy with the relatively seamless way that things progressed. This time taken from “go to whoa” was only about 4 weeks which in itself is quite remarkable. The installation is now almost complete and our teachers and students are already benefiting from the much improved quality of light in our classrooms and all other areas.

The monthly savings on reduced power consumption pays for the LED light upgrade and will see us pay off the interest-free loan in approximately four and a half years. After the loan is repaid it is all money in the bank. As a Beyond Green Gold EnviroSchool recycling was extremely important to us. DES arranged for the redundant fluoro lights to be recycled to minimise damage to the environment from the mercury they contain. Also the redundant plastic lenses and cardboard packaging was also recycled. We even found a local scrap metal dealer who would take the redundant steel light fittings.

I commend other schools to participate and take up this offer. It is absolutely worthwhile to take the time to listen to the presentation and take the opportunity to save money for their school. I don’t imagine there are too many schools who are happy to pay more than they have to for electricity. Congratulations for helping us become more sustainable.

From the home show to installation, the procedure was straightforward. James was anxious to please to the extent of changing out a light bulb I chose… Installers arrived early and worked efficiently.

Great company to deal with.

I am a real estate agent for Ray White Remuera. I recently engaged DES to install new lights in a 1970’s unit in St Heliers to make it more attractive to the market. I sold the home under hammer for 76% over CV. DES were easy to deal with and gave my client sound advice. I cannot recommend them more highly.