CP&R Auto, 6358 W Grand Ave, Chicago is forecasted to save more than 34,100 kWh annually, an amount equivalent to more than $3,500 in utility costs.

“CP&R is one of many small businesses that we are fortunate to work with that are taking steps every day to lower their electricity consumption,” says Sustainable Lighting Solutions President Michael Sweitzer. “Every change is significant, but for CP&R replacing the existing fluorescent and halogen fixtures will make a significant dent in its utility savings.”

CP&R Auto Repair’s annual environmental impact from its switch to energy efficient lighting means:

• 7 fewer tons of carbon dioxide emitted
• 26 more acres of trees planted
• 2,815 fewer gallons of gas consumed

CP&R Auto Repair’s environmentally significant changes will also prevent the discharge of additional harmful elements into the atmosphere.

“I am proud that our new lighting will have such an impact beyond the aesthetic improvements and electricity savings,” says CP&R owner Patrick Cadet. He opened the then vacant repair shop two years ago. He previously made improvements toward more energy efficient air compressors, and the new lighting was the next step in adopting more energy saving solutions for the shop.

“It’s really a dramatic change,” says Cadet. “I like that these changes show our customers that we are investing in the business with green technologies.”

The new modern, clean, bright, white, and energy-efficient has CP&R’s mechanics joking that they need to keep wear their sunglasses because the shop is so well lit. CP&R operates five days a week, on average 10-12 hours a day. Sustainable Lighting Solutions replaced an array of T12’s in the office, waiting room, and throughout the shop, as well as energy-saving occupancy sensors and exhaust fans. Sustainable Lighting Solutions also replaced exterior halogens with programmable LED flood lights.

Sustainable Lighting Solutions helped CP&R

• Replace interior fluorescents and exterior halogens with energy efficient fixtures
• Secure more than $6,000 in project incentives
• Forecast $3,500 in annual electricity savings
• Cover more than 70% of the project with incentives

More than 70% of the project was covered with incentives through ComEd. CP&R will recoup its investment in a matter of months. Beyond the capital expense, Cadet said one of the greatest challenges in moving forward with the project was understanding how much of a difference the lighting will make. Cadet appreciated that Sustainable Lighting Solutions installed a sample fixture so he could see the difference before he signed on to the project.

The post CP&R Auto Recognized for Energy Savings appeared first on SLSNA.

The savings acquired from expending 625,341 fewer kWh, an amount greater than $67,000 per year, prompted Sustainable Lighting Solutions to recognize Round Ground Metals with its Environmental Stewardship Award.

“We want to have the safest environment for our employees today and generations to come,” says Mirek Krynski, Round Ground Metals, Inc. Maintenance Supervisor. “It’s amazing that upgrading to LED throughout two of our buildings will have such an environmental impact. We’re grateful to Sustainable Lighting Solutions for presenting the solution and recognizing us for its impact.”

Round Ground Metals is a 28-year-old family owned company steel manufacturing company that makes “round bars rounder” and has a rich history of delivering a quality product at a fair market price.

“Our machines operate on average 20 hours a day, and require a lot of electricity,” Krynski says. “This project improved the safety and productivity of our machinists, brightened overall morale throughout the company, and made the world a little greener.”

Round Ground metals, Inc. chose Sustainable Lighting Solutions for the project that included more than 200 fixtures and sensors installed throughout it 130,000 square feet of machine shops and warehouse space.

Mike Sweitzer, founder and President of Sustainable Lighting Solutions, says that small changes go a long way, and the energy savings acquired through lighting improvements have greater impact in environments with heavy machinery and other electricity guzzlers.

“When a company is running 20/5, the lights are pretty much always on,” Sweitzer says. “We offer solutions that respect employee movement, concentrate the light in places that enhance safety, and minimize the time that lights are on unnecessarily. The end product delivers significant utility and maintenance savings.”

Round Ground Metal’s annual environmental impact from its switch to energy-efficient lighting:

• Consume 625,341 fewer kWh
• Emit 380.3 fewer tons of Carbon Dioxide

And as a result:

• 70 more acres of trees planted
• 52,000 fewer gallons of gas consumed

Krynski says that other companies bid on the project, but Sustainable Lighting Solutions’ willingness to help people “see in order to believe” is what set it apart.

“Sustainable Lighting Solutions installed a sample fixture and right away people wanted them. Seeing really is believing and when they hung those fixtures people could see what type of change would happen,” says Krynski.

Sustainable Lighting Solutions secured a ComEd incentive that covered a third of the project. RGM is forecasted to annually save more than $67,000 in electricity costs alone.

“The new lighting is saving maintenance a lot of headaches,” Krynski says, but more important employees can see better and the new lighting has improved morale. “They appreciate the investment.”

The project took several weeks to complete, with installation primarily occurring on the weekends; to minimize disruption to the machine shop and warehouse. Nearly 250 fixtures were installed, including LED High Bays; LED wall packs; LED pole fixtures; and motion sensors. Most of the installation occurred within the buildings, but Sustainable Lighting Solutions also installed exterior fixtures.

“Employees come and go early in the morning and late at night, and improving the lighting outside was really appreciated,” Krynski says. “The women were especially grateful, because during the winter when it’s really dark and cold they felt safer, and didn’t fear possibly slipping on the ice when they were headed to their cars.”

Project at A Glance:

• Incentive: $30,880
• Annual Utility Savings: $67,349
• Payback: One year
• Impact: Safer workplace, Employee Morale improved

About Round Ground Metals:

Round Ground Metals specializes in the production of precision tolerance, round bars from hot roll stock and stocks several thousand tons of material in various stainless, carbon, and alloy grades. Manufacturing practices include material selection, precision straightening, turning, burnish/polishing, centerless grinding, cutting, heat treating, facing, end-stamping, packaging, testing, and logistics. For more information, visit: http://www.rgmetals.com/.

About Sustainable Lighting Solutions

Sustainable Lighting Solutions (SLS) offers modern lighting solutions that transform a company’s workplace, warehouse, or campus. SLS’ solutions immediately reduce operating costs, decrease electricity utilization, and on average provide a two-year payback with lower utility bills. SLS tracks all available incentives and to date has captured more than $5 million in incentives and rebates for its customers. For more information, visit www.SLSNA.com

Media Contact:

Karen Craven, Harris Marketing Services, karen@HarrisMarketingServices.com, (773)230-8785

The post Round Ground Metals awarded Environmental Stewardship Award for LED Lighting project appeared first on SLSNA.

We’ve been working with businesses like yours throughout the Belmont Central and Portage Park communities this summer, and we’re excited to share CP&R’s lighting project with its neighbors. We regularly hear from businesses in disbelief about two facts:

1. changing their lighting CAN save them a substantial amount of money
2. there ARE energy efficiency programs to help PAY for the project cost

Join us when we celebrate CP&R Automotive’s new lighting.

Let’s “Turn on the new lights” at CP&R Automotive, Thursday, September 7, 2017 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 6358 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60639.

1. We helped CP&R secure more than $6k in incentives to cover the project cost.
2. The new energy saving lighting will CP&R save more than $3,500 annually in electricity costs.
3. CP&R will recoup its investment in a matter of months. 

Now, that’s worth celebrating!

We’ll toast a beer from Chicago’s Revolution Brewery!

The post Sustainable Lighting Solutions Turning on the Lights at CP&R Automotive appeared first on SLSNA.

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Modern day workers spend more time in the office, but if they’re not working smarter, they aren’t doing much for their employers. This might sound like a simple insight, but companies that understand what drives productivity get the most out of their talent and, as a result, produce better products, offer greater service and, ultimately, generate higher revenue.

One of the most striking factors influencing how we work is the color temperature of the light source we’re exposed to on a regular basis.

“Light has an enormous effect on our physical and mental well-being,” said Stanley Felderman of Felderman Keatinge & Associates, a design studio he runs with Nancy Keatinge. The husband-wife duo believes that it’s in our DNA to perform better under specific lighting, and that’s why we react differently depending on our light environment.

To learn more about how color temperature impacts the productivity of your workers, read the entire article from the University of North Carolina here.

The post How Lighting Affects the Productivity of Your Workers appeared first on SLSNA.