Sandstrom’s food distribution warehouse in Grand Rapids has a bright future after completing a recent lighting retrofit. They’ve been enjoying both the energy and money savings that comes with implementing a lighting retrofit.
The existing conditions were outdated with high power usage, yet offering low level light output. Add in humming ballasts, constant flickering bulbs, and high maintenance; you can start to paint a picture of a typical warehouse setting, right? A key concern for Sandstrom’s food supply warehouse was also the necessary covers that protected food products from mercury (in the event that a forklift were to come into contact with and accidentally break a bulb). They are relieved to no longer worry about that with their new and improved LED lighting.
Sandstrom’s completed the retrofit based upon the possibility of it being cost effective with a short payback period. Bundle together brighter lights with lower power usage and not requiring nearly as much maintenance, and Jim Azure of Solus LED had their attention. Sandstrom’s chose to upgrade the 90-watt high output T12 fluorescents with 15-watt linear LEDs. In addition to the interior lighting retrofit, Sandstrom’s upgraded their exterior wall packs from High Intensity Discharge (HID) to LED lighting. What are wall packs? They are the security lighting on the exterior walls of the building.
The total project cost before any incentives were applied was $17,300. The Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency Inc. (AEOA), Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB), and Energy Insight Inc. on behalf of Grand Rapids Public Utilities put their heads together to bring the initial cost of the project down as much as possible. The IRRRB Business Energy Retrofit program paid for 33.3% of the entire project, lowering Sandstrom’s cost for the interior lighting by $3,566 and the exterior wall packs by $2,200. The Grand Rapids Public Utilities provided a rebate of nearly $2,000 as well. With both incentives applied, that brought the total cost down to $9,554. It’s estimated that Sandstrom’s will save over $4,000 and 52,000 kWh annually, which means less than a 2.5 year payback.
This project payback only weighs the cost of the project against the energy cost savings. There are additional savings not accounted for in these cost calculations, such as through reduced maintenance. The LED lighting will last 5 times longer than the fluorescent lighting – that’s 5 fewer times staff will need to use tall ladders to replace light bulbs.
The overall accomplishments achieved:
- 70% energy use reduction
- Planning on less than 2.5 year payback
- Lighting levels increased 350% on average
- No more ballasts using additional energy
- Reduced maintenance not changing out bulbs
- No humming ballasts, no flickering bulbs
- At a rated bulb life of 50,000 hours, these bulbs will last 8 years
- No hazardous materials, no covers needed over food products (forklift resistant)
Check out our Handy Lighting Guide with additional resources >>
