Installing energy-efficient lighting has given us a comfortable cushion of $28,000 a year in energy savings.
“The energy-efficient lighting we installed at our stores not only provides impressive energy cost savings but also shows our merchandise to greater advantage.” Jeet Jaswal, President, MJM Furniture Centre Ltd.
The Situation
MJM Furniture Centre Ltd. operates retail stores in Surrey, Abbotsford and Coquitlam. Like any smart business operator, MJM is always looking for ways to save on operating costs. So when Ed Mernagh from the distributor West Coast Lighting approached MJM’s Jeet Jaswal with information about energy-efficient lighting technologies and incentives, Jeet was interested.
West Coast Lighting is a member of BC Hydro’s Power Smart Alliance and Trade Allies, a province-wide network of independent lighting and electrical contractors, mechanical contractors, consulting engineers, and manufacturers and distributors of energy-efficient products who share BC Hydro’s commitment to energy savings. Ed told Jeet about Hydro’s Power Smart Product Incentive Program, which offers incentives on the installation of energy-efficient technologies. When he also showed Jeet how replacing incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) could achieve the same or even better lighting levels with less electricity, MJM decided to go ahead with a lighting upgrade at three stores.
The Solution
MJM implemented a lighting retrofit that involved installing:
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362 CFLs at its Surrey store on 77 Avenue
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1,390 CFLs at its Coquitlam store
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510 CFLs at its Surrey store on 77 Avenue under Signature Interiors
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Between the Power Smart incentives and the projected energy savings, the project achieved a payback of less than one year.
The Benefits
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Electricity savings
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The three lighting installations are saving a total of 560,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year, worth nearly $28,000 in annual energy savings. Because CFLS are longer-lasting, MJM will save an additional $3,400 on maintenance costs each year, and will realize air conditioning savings because lower-wattage CFL lamps produce less heat.
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Reduced environmental impacts
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Lower energy consumption results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced environmental protection.
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Improved lighting quality
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The CFLs show MJM’s merchandise to greater advantage and provide more uniform lighting. As well, the installation provides better light output with the same number of bulbs. Customers have remarked on the improved lighting quality in the showrooms.
A closer look... Energy Savings Opportunities for Retail Stores
For retail facilities, upgrading to energy-efficient technologies can significantly reduce energy and operating costs – both immediately and for years to come. Under BC Hydro’s Power Smart Product Incentive Program, many energy-efficient products qualify for incentives that can lower paybacks and make projects more attractive.
These energy-efficient technologies are ideal for retail locations, and all qualify for Product Incentive Program incentives.
• Compact fluorescent lamps save up to 75% in energy costs over incandescent lamps.
• Halogen infrared lamps use less electricity to produce the same amount of light as standard halogen lamps, and provide natural-looking bright light that is close to daylight.
• Energy-saver T8 fluorescent lighting saves 40% to 50% on average in energy costs over T12s.
• LED exit signs are 90% more energy-efficient than incandescent signs and last up to 25 years.
• LED signage reduces energy use by over 85% compared with standard neon signage, while providing brighter light.
• LED MR16 (multi-mirror reflector) lamps work well with recessed or track lighting, providing superior optical control and energy efficiency.
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