ABC Supply – Aurora Case Study

A lighting specialist from EPS surveyed the Aurora facility in October, 2005. The original building dates from 1900 with 3 additions. A variety of fixtures and lamps were found, including:

• 2 lamp 8 foot strips
• 300 watt quartz lights
• 450 watt incandescent
• Exit lights with incandescent lamps
• 2x4 troffers with 4-40 watt T12 lamps
• 7 types of lamps and 4 types of ballasts

The light levels varied by location

• Showroom 40-70 fc
• Offices 40-60 fc
• Warehouse 3-25 fc
• Storage areas –color critical 5-15 fc

After an analysis of the property, EPS decided recommended the following action:

• Retrofit showroom and office fixtures to 3-32 watt lamps and 2-32 watt lamps respectively
• Remove all quartz fixtures, all 450 watt incandescents, and some 8 foot strips
• Retrofit 8 foot strips to 2-54 watt lamps
• Install 4-54 watt fixtures in the higher ceiling warehouses
• Install LED lamps in Exit signs

The results of this action yielded the following light levels:

• Offices 40 fc
• Showroom 70 fc
• Warehouse 18 fc
• Storage Areas –color critical 30 fc

By following our recommendations, EPS was able to lower their electric costs from $5,645 down to $1,861 for an annual savings of $3,784. Based on 3000 operating hours/year, the simple payback was 2.5 years and the ROI was 40%. In addition, by using the high quality lamps and ballasts, we will cut ABC’s lighting maintenance costs by 70%.

The key to the savings and the light levels is to utilize name brand high efficiency ballasts and 85 CRI lamps with a 5000k color temperature. Other factors include using reflectors in the higher ceiling areas and white ballast covers in low ceiling areas.