The document discusses various options for upgrading lighting in restaurants to reduce energy costs. It provides examples of restaurants that have implemented lighting retrofits using LED, fluorescent, and other efficient lighting technologies. These retrofits have resulted in energy savings ranging from 12-90% and payback periods of 2-3 years by reducing ongoing costs. The document emphasizes evaluating each application and using a mix of technologies tailored to a restaurant's needs to maximize savings.

1. w lighting
BY TED STOUCH
RECIPE
President & CEO,
Action Services Group
For Energy Savings
Why LEDs have all the ingredients for success.
e
nergy-efficient lighting in restaurants throughout the nation is becoming the need of the hour. duction of 25% • Lower wattages
minimal energy savings • Ret-
Some restaurants have been forward-thinking by leveraging existing agreements, reaching rofit uses existing technology •
Lumens depreciate quickly after
out to national and regional lighting retrofit companies. These restaurant operators are highly mo- rated life
tivated to embrace carefully prepared product and service offerings.
HId to led lIgHtIng
• 50-80% energy reduction •
A lighting system needs to Increased rated life 50,000 to
meet the restaurant’s energy 100,000 hours • Better color
systems requirements to reduce rendition • Reduce CO2 gases
environmental impact, increase released to the atmosphere •
brand appearance, and improve Eliminate maintenance
the customers’ atmosphere. Even
though every location is differ-
HId to InductIon
ent, it is essential the all compo-
nents of the lighting system will lIgHtIng
economically fit all restaurant • 50% energy reduction • In-
footprints. creased rated life 60,000 to
A complete retrofit program 100,000 hours • 30% lumen de-
of all your restaurants locations preciation after rated life
can result in a healthy reduction
in energy consumption, energy InTErIOr & ExTErIOr SIgnagE
costs, maintenance costs and LIgHTIng IngrEDIEnTS
operating costs. It benefits the Before after High-efficiency, long life LED
environment by reducing green- systems deliver exceptional per-
house gas (GHG) emissions that may not be obtained. Choosing turn on investment • Readily formance in channel letter, bor-
contribute to climate change by one particular technology can available material • Reduce en- der lighting, architectural ac-
cutting utility bills. limit potential savings. Instead ergy up to 75% • Increase rated cent, cove lighting, POP signage
For the best energy-saving of getting focused on one lighting life of lamp and wall washing applications.
results, the following should be technology solution, each appli- The overall goal is to produce
included in a complete lighting cation within the facility needs t12 – t8 or t5 an informative sign that por-
retrofit: to be looked at for different light- Fluorescent trays your message and image.
ing options. • Energy reduction of 20-30% There are a few lighting materi-
• Lighting audits/analysis Too often, retrofits with mis- • Longer rated life of lamps als available to create illuminat-
• Lighting layouts conceptions lead to faulty de- • Better color rendition • Re- ed signs, but to be the most cost-
• Energy-saving lighting prod- cisions. For significant energy duce CO2 gases released to the efficient, LED technology is the
ucts savings with a lighting retrofit atmosphere • 2- to 3-year ROI solution over neon, fluorescent
• Lighting accessories (occupan- program, evaluation of which • Maintenance cost associated and electroluminescent lighting.
cy sensors, dimmers, etc.) technology to use needs to be with lamp and ballast replace- LED lighting systems can be
• Recycling of all hazardous well researched depending on ment still exists • Deprecia- implemented into countless sig-
materials in compliance with the application. Also there are tion of lumens after rated life of nage applications, indoor or out.
OSHA tax rebates, grants and other lamps • Shortened lifespan with Judged against the performance
incentive programs to be taken frequent on and off cycle of standard neon, fluorescent
InTErIOr & ExTErIOr advantage of. lamps and electroluminescent
Lighting retrofit options in- lighting, LED technology pro-
LIgHTIng IngrEDIEnTS HIgH IntensIty dIscHarge
clude: vides significant energy cost re-
Many obstacles can get in the lamps (metal HalIde –
way of lighting retrofit projects. ductions, easier installation or
The misconceptions surrounding Incandescent to compact HIgH pressure sodIum – retrofitting, less frequent main-
lighting retrofits are numerous Fluorescent mercury Vapor) tenance and consistent bright-
and maximum energy savings • Minimal labor cost • Fast re- • For higher wattages energy re- ness over time.
Published in RestauRant Facility Business • DECEMBER 2010/JANUARY 2011 • Copyright 2011 France Publications, Inc. • www.francepublications.com

2. Flexibility and ease of instal- • Energy savings of 23% to 50% T-8 fluorescent lighting fixtures
lighting
to 48 watts, an energy savings
w
lation make LED modules ideal with ballasts in its customer din- of 57%, and maintained required
for onsite retrofitting of exist- t-12 Fluorescent lamps ing area. An innovative technol- foot candles. With the lighting ret-
ing sign lighting systems. There retroFItted to eItHer t-8
ogy of highly reflective plastic rofit, one restaurant location for
is no need for sign removal or substrate was installed in these just its interior is saving 15,870
or t-5 Fluorescent lamps
sign replacement. With a power fixtures. With the new reflector kWh a year, 22,342 lbs of CO2
consumption of only 0.8 watts •Energy savings of 12% to 27% technology, the company was emissions annually, and approxi-
per linear foot, LEDs are the able to replace the existing four mately 59 trees every year. The
most efficient sign lighting sys- Fluorescent retroFIt to lamps with two lamps, and a sin- carbon dioxide offsets in regards
tem available today. The combi- leds gle 2-lamp energy-efficient bal- to the environmental impact is
nation of factors — ultra high • Energy savings of 12% to 38% last. The reflector utilizes high also equivalent to 53 passenger
brightness, ease of installation, • Less maintenance • Longer life diffuse reflectance, greater than vehicles on the road yearly and
a minimal power supply amount • Eliminating mercury content 97% reflectance across the vis- 10 carbon credits. Their annual
and few components needed for ible spectrum, allowing light fix- calculated energy cost savings is
installation — results in LEDs The following are case stud- tures to be designed with more $1,746. Maintenance costs will
being a cost-competitive alterna- ies about restaurants that have efficient light output while the also reduce because the quanti-
tive to all sign lighting systems tried to save energy with light- highly diffuse nature of reflec- ties of lamps in each fixture are
available. ing: tion allows the light to be dis- cut in half. For interior and exte-
Sign lighting retrofit options tributed evenly with a low-glare rior lighting along with signage
available: CaSE STUDY #1: FaST FOOD aesthetic. The lighting retrofit lighting, the national fast food
A fast food chain wanted to im- was designed to immensely re- chain expects to save $7,931 an-
neon lIgHtIng retroFIt to prove its lighting while reducing duce energy consumption and nually per location.
leds its energy consumption and im- decrease heat output, which also
• Energy savings of 75% to 90% proving its carbon footprint. The reduces HVAC costs. CaSE STUDY #2:
• Less maintenance • Longer life company implemented a lighting With the innovative reflector CHaIn rESTaUranT
• Eliminating mercury content retrofit program for exterior and technology, reduction of lamps A restaurant chain in Penn-
interior lighting and signage. and the energy-efficient ballast, sylvania and southwestern New
A test location in suburban the restaurant reduced the watt- Jersey wanted to increase the
neon lIgHtIng retroFIt to age per fixture from 112 watts
Philadelphia used 4-lamp, 4-foot, quality of lighting and the level
Fluorescents
• Carpenters, Mechanic Techs, HVAC Techs, Plumbers,
Electricians, Painters, Ceiling & Floor Techs
• Lawn Care, Snow Plowing, Pressure Washing,
Roofing, Masonry
• Licenses and Insurance held for all trades
• All workers are employees and are readily held
accountable for their work.
24/7 Round the clock service • Depots in MA., CT., RI., NH. & VT.
Alex Feinman (508) 295-1191 • www.boston-group.us
Published in RestauRant Facility Business • DECEMBER 2010/JANUARY 2011 • Copyright 2011 France Publications, Inc. • www.francepublications.com

3. w lighting
of illumination while significant- only use 35W each of energy. In ing taken by some prominent nology for adequate energy sav-
ly reducing energy consumption each parking lot fixture, the LED national chains. Both local busi- ings. With the energy savings the
and service costs. The company is producing 65% more light and nesses and national chains can restaurant decision-maker can
had to pay considerable atten- using 67% less energy. The res- benefit from energy efficiency. apply the savings to other areas
tion to the issues of light pol- taurant is anticipating a 67% A lighting retrofit provider of business to stay competitive in
lution and glare control, while drop in energy usage than the must have a detailed under- the restaurant industry.
increasing lighting levels and former facility’s metal halide standing of how the restaurant A complete retrofit lighting sys-
reducing energy. lamps — and a significant in- business uses energy, the tech- tem that meets the restaurant’s
After the restaurant’s parking crease in lumen output. nologies they now have, the up- energy saving requirements, in-
lot light was destroyed, it decided What did the ingredients cook grades that would help them creases brand appearance, and
to investigate how to increase its up? Lighting retrofits are help- most, their decision-making improves the customers’ atmo-
lighting quality and save energy. ing many restaurants cut their structures, and the views and sphere is the perfect recipe for
The fixtures were 175W metal energy costs. Lowered energy- preferences of restaurant deci- energy savings with lighting. w
halides and used approximately efficient lighting product pric- sion-makers. Restaurants need
213W of energy. One metal ha- ing and utility rebates allow for particular lighting to create
w
lide lamp was replaced with two a “strong return on investment.” “their” brand atmosphere. With Ted Stouch is president/CEO of
LED lamps that are 250W each Lighting retrofits are one simple this the lighting retrofit needs to Aston, Pennsylvania-based
(equivalent to 250W HID) but approach to energy savings be- the have different lighting tech- Action Services Group.
VENDOR SHOWCASE To have your company spotlighted in this special section, please contact
Scott France at (404) 832-8262 or scott@francepublications.com.
FREE estimates,
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Toll Free: 866-659-2830
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www.FineLineServicesInc.com
• Handyman Services • Restroom Repairs
• Painting • Drywall / Water damage repair
• Laminate repair / replacement • Ceramic tile repair / replacement
• Carpet repairs • Concrete repairs (small scale)
• Ceiling tile repair / replacement • Door and hinge repair
• Electrical (small scale) • Plumbing (small scale)
• Install Display Units
• Custom refrigeration
seals made on-site
• Kason parts
(door closers, hinges, etc.)
stocked on our service trucks
• On-site welding
• Our own stainless steel
fabrication shop
• Custom built walk-in
doors and floors
(800) 428-7325
www.sealtexinc.com
TEXAS • OKLAHOMA • LOUISIANA • ARKANSAS
Published in RestauRant Facility Business • DECEMBER 2010/JANUARY 2011 • Copyright 2011 France Publications, Inc. • www.francepublications.com