Bright Lights, Big Savings

UPGRADE TO MORE EFFICIENT LIGHTING PAYS OFF FOR ONE EGV COMPANY
Whether the motivation is to cut costs, reduce your carbon footprint, or both, lighting offers an opportunity to see a return on investment relatively quickly. That's what Standard Rubber Products Co. learned when it upgraded to more energy-efficient lighting earlier this year.

The company replaced now-obsolete fluorescent T12 bulbs* with energyefficient linear LEDs throughout its 50,000-square-foot facility in the Elk Grove Business Park, along with other upgrades, enabling it to slash power consumption by 70 percent.

UPGRADE OPTIONS
SRP simply could have switched out the T12s for more energy-efficient T8 or T5 bulbs. But those require special hazardous disposal, and there are more energy-efficient options. Instead, for maximum energy efficiency, the company installed 70 new fixtures, replacing 150 4-foot and curved fluorescents.

SRP also retrofitted all other fixtures with LED bulbs — less expensive than replacing the fixtures, while still a big step in energy efficiency. In all, SRP changed out 262 8-foot fluorescents, 68 4-foot fluorescents, more than 200 miscellaneous bulbs, and installed all new switches and dimmers throughout the facility.

The initial $50,300 project cost was offset right away by a $19,000 ComEd rebate and $19,000 in Federal EPAct tax incentives.** SRP estimates the remaining $12,300 will take less than four years to regain. Less expansive lighting upgrades can have an even shorter payback period.

HELPING THE PLANET AND THE BOTTOM LINE
"Our company is very excited about the environmental benefits that will be created from the switch to LED lighting," says Larry Gualano, Jr., Manufacturing Engineer and part of the third generation of leadership at SRP. "This system will result in an annual energy usage reduction of over 50,000 kwh — a 70 percent operating cost reduction versus the fluorescent lighting system that we replaced," he adds.

In its lobby, SRP proudly displays a special ComEd "Zero 12 Facility" plaque — part of the utility's Smart Ideas for Your Business Program®. Maintaining a close working relationship with ComEd is one way the Village of Elk Grove strives to be "Beyond Business Friendly."

"Elk Grove Village has been Standard Rubber Products' home for almost 50 years," says Larry Gualano, President. "We are very proud to have been a part of this business community over that time."

Want to learn more about SRP's lighting upgrade?

Contact:
Larry Gualano, Jr.
Manufacturing Engineer
Standard Rubber Products Co.
(847) 593-5630 x211
larryl@srpco.com

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