Profiles in lighting upgrades: 2008 series

Without a doubt, lighting upgrades involving energy-efficient lamps, ballasts, controls, etc. stand as some of the most attractive investments around. This special 2008 series offers examples of how real-life commercial, institutional, and industrial properties nationwide have pursued and benefited from lighting upgrades. Dallas, Tex.-based Victory Packaging undertook a lighting upgrade to address the inefficient and costly lighting system in place throughout its 160,000 s/f production and warehouse facility. Plagued with an outdated combination of 400-watt metal halide, high pressure sodium, mercury vapor, and T-12 fluorescent lamp and magnetic ballast technology, the system was inefficient, non-standardized, and delivered less than optimal light levels. With support from a local energy service company, Victory Packaging's management team replaced their old lighting fixtures with an efficient new system involving fluorescent T5 High Output lamps driven by electronic ballasts. In addition to reducing energy consumption and costs by 30-40% and paying itself back in three years, the system is delivering up to 10 times the light levels of their previous configuration and helping to promote safety and security among the warehouse workforce while elevating productivity. "We are absolutely delighted with the results of the upgrade," said Victory Packaging general manager Jim Tallas. As this example and thousands of others will prove, lighting upgrades represent some of the most attractive and beneficial investments around. Susan Bloom is director of corporate communications for Philips Lighting & Advance, Somerset, N.J.