Benefits
By upgrading their light fixtures to Cree LED luminaires, 4 Sons Food Stores, Inc. was able to save $1,500 to $1,800 per month per location on energy costs – about one third of the energy bill. In addition, each location saves thousands of dollars annually on maintenance costs since Cree LED lights are virtually maintenance-free for 10 years. For example, the Cave Creek location is estimated to save $3,500 in annual maintenance costs. By upgrading, each location was able to secure between $8,000 to $16,000 in utility rebates. In Cave Creek's situation, the payback was brought down to 1.7 years.
The cost savings doesn’t end with the lighting upgrade. "The money we have saved on energy and maintenance costs from the lights allowed us to install programmable thermostats.
Since the Cree® LED lights generate less heat than traditional lights, we were able to adjust the set temperature allowing us to keep the c-store comfortable, while our HVAC system uses less energy," said Seitz. "The temperature change really pays off since it can be 115° or higher in the summer."
The benefits of Cree LED lighting doesn’t stop at cost savings – 4 Sons Food Stores, Inc. is also benefiting from the crisp white light creating excellent visibility and an inviting, safe atmosphere.
"Our stores are so bright now that they bring in customers from the highway," said Seitz. "Neighboring stations end up getting lost in the dark and we stand out in the crowd."
“The Cree® LED lighting helps customers feel safe and secure late at night," said Gibson.
"The lighting is very comfortable," said Gibson. "It’s bright, but not piercing to the eyes." Plus, the interior LED lighting helps make the store merchandise and displays pop without being overbearing.
“We are very happy with our decision to upgrade the lighting in all of our locations to Cree® LED lighting. From the crisp white light to the energy and maintenance savings – it’s a win for us,” said Seitz.
*Payback and energy savings are based on the national average electricity rate, recommended maintenance schedule, and typical maintenance costs over common assessment periods (application life) for Cave Creek, AZ location. Payback calculation also includes a rebate received from Arizona Public Service Company.
“Cree makes a great product and with a 10-year limited warranty backing it, it’s a great buy. It’s the best value in energy efficiency, longevity and reliability."
Treve Gibson | Owner, DemandDrop
"We are very happy with our decision to upgrade the lighting in all of our stores to Cree® LED lighting. The lighting is fantastic and the return on investment is even better."
Eric Seitz | Owner, 4 Sons Food Stores, Inc.