“LED use in commercial applications is expected to be most apparent in retrofit projects, where older lighting is often replaced specifically to improve efficiency,” Navigant Research
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are becoming a driving force for the launch of commercial property energy retrofits. Their measurable energy efficiency, as well as improved color quality, makes them attractive to commercial property owners wanting to launch energy retrofit projects.
Auto dealership switches to LED
The appeal of LEDs was one of the factors behind the decision to launch a complete energy efficiency renovation at the Star Lincoln auto dealership in Southfield, MI. The energy retrofit project, which involved many energy efficiency components, included replacing the metal halide lights with LEDs. Having just completed the lighting conversion two weeks ago here are the results that made the retrofit so appealing:
Service Area Lighting
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Bulb Technology
Wattage Per
Warranty
Bulb Life
Operational Life
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]Old
Metal Halide
400 Watts
1 Year
20,000 Hours
7 Years
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]New
LED
165 Watts (58% Reduction)
5 Years
50,000 Hours
16 Years (Based on 3213 hours/year)
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“Long term, it’s possible that LEDs could trigger a fundamental change in the way lighting is provided to commercial spaces,” Jesse Foote
A new study published by Navigant Research entitled Energy Efficient Lighting for Commercial Markets details the growing appeal of LEDs, and predicts a significant growth in the number of energy retrofit projects launched primarily due to the benefits of LED technology.
Super Bowl benefits from LEDs!
A massive commercial energy retrofit project was unknowingly experienced by many sports fans while observing the recent Super Bowl. The host for that event, the University of Phoenix, had recently installed LEDs in the stadium to replace the former metal halide bulbs. One of the benefits of the LED is the fact that it turns on instantly compared to the slow warm up time of metal halide. Many of you will recall Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens playing the San Francisco 49ers. A brief power outage caused over a 30 minute delay of game waiting for the metal halide lamps to warm up. The LED bulbs, while providing better lighting for watching the action on the field, use only 310,000 watts compared to the old metal halides which ate up 1.24 million watts. A significant savings and a better experience for the fans!
Massive multifamily energy project initiated
Scott Ringlein CEO,
The CEO of The Energy Alliance Group, Scott Ringlein, was invited up to the Northern Michigan area last week to initiate a massive energy renovation project. The many faceted project, while broad in its complexity, was initiated by the need for more efficient and attractive lighting that would benefit the many residents of the large facility! A project that I look forward to reporting on in future posts!
The appeal of LEDs continues to grow as the price drops and their many benefits become better understood. The fact that the LED technology saves money and provides better quality light will continue to be primary factors that spark a large variety of energy retrofit projects.
The Energy Alliance Group of Michigan is a leader in clean energy PACE project development and financing
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