Switching to Durable, Energy-Reducing LED Lighting a Bright Idea for Chicago Businesses

March 29, 2011 - PRLog -- Switching to Durable, Energy-Reducing LED Lighting a Bright Idea for Chicago Businesses
By: Go Green Technologies
Dated: March 24, 2011

In the ongoing struggle to save on expenses and manage the increasing costs of energy, Chicago businesses are increasingly replacing their old halogens and fluorescent lights with longer-lasting, energy efficient solid state LED lighting.  
European Furniture Warehouse (www.eurofurniture.com), a Chicago retail businesses that imports modern classic and contemporary European style furniture, relies on precision lighting to highlight their products.  The furniture importer recently replaced 1,030 75 watt halogen bulbs in their showroom floor with Energy Brite (www.energybrite.com) solid state LED lights that use only a mere 15 watts without sacrificing in the quality of the lighting.  
Randy Racana, VP of EuroFurniture, explains why his business made the switch to LED lighting.  “We had heard about other businesses saving on energy costs by using LED lighting. So we did the research ourselves and added up the potential savings.  The decision to switch was simple, the math was very clear.”
EuroFurniture sought out the help of Go Green Technologies, a Chicago company specializing in energy-reducing green technologies, to make the switch.  “We looked at the existing lighting of EuroFurniture and evaluated their needs,” says Ron Bender, VP of Go Green Technologies, (www.greentech411.com), “We presented them with an LED alternative and showed them the benefits.”
Over the course of a year, EuroFurniture will save nearly $30,000 or about 80% on energy costs.  But they will also save in other areas thanks to the new bulbs.  Unlike halogens, the LED lights generate very little heat, so EuroFurniture is able to cut 15% of their air conditioning bill. With a 50,000 hour life expectancy of a LED, or about 11 years, halogen bulbs would need to be replaced nearly 20 times more than a single installed LED bulb.
“The time it takes our maintenance person to replace over a thousand bulbs in a showroom really adds up, and especially since they need to get out ladders and other equipment every time just to change a light bulb,” states Racana.
EuroFurniture was very impressed with the quality of their new lighting.  The old halogens used a flood pattern, but the new LEDs have a 45 degree beam.  “The spot-lighting is a much better way to showcase our furniture,” says Racana, “Rather than flooding the showroom we are now displaying our furniture like pieces of art.  We had to take some new photographs for our website.”
In addition to the cost savings, there are other benefits of LED lighting.  Over time, UV rays from halogen bulbs deteriorate artwork and furniture.  This isn’t a problem with LED lighting which has no ultraviolet emissions.  At the same time, LED lighting does not attract bugs.   Some businesses install LED lighting in their entry ways just to keep buzzing insects from entering their establishments.
LED lights have already been installed in many businesses on the Las Vegas strip where bright lights and low thermal output are essential.  Cities are installing LED lights in their street lamps and traffic lights to cut costs.  Even the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has switched to colorful LED bulbs in 2010 and saved the city over $2 million on energy costs over the holiday season.
Still, some businesses are hesitant to embrace LED lighting.  “It’s the substantial initial cost of the bulbs that may cause some businesses to drag their feet,” says Bender.  “But once they see how quickly the lights pay for themselves in energy savings, they start to see the idea in a new light.”
“Go Green Technologies believes that solid state LED lighting is set to revolutionize all existing lighting within 3 to 5 years and all businesses will be using them.  It’s just a matter of time before all businesses migrate to solid state LED lighting.  But the companies that switch the soonest will get the greatest payback.  There’s no reason to wait,” Bender stated.
About EuroFurniture: Euro Furniture is a family furniture business for over three generations. What began as a humble domestic furniture business in the 1940’s evolved into European Furniture Importers over thirty years ago when it started importing residential and contract furnishings from Italy for many of America’s leading furniture retailers, department stores, and Architectural Design firms. (800) 243-1955

About Go Green Technologies: Go Green Technologies LLC, based in Schaumburg, IL is committed to supplying the industry with energy efficient lighting that will meet the demanding needs of firms who want to lower power usage, increase lamp life, and reduce maintenance costs with the latest in Solid State Lighting (LED) Technology. Further information about making a positive impact on the environment by implementing responsible practices for the conservation of energy and natural resources and the reduction of waste contact GGT at: info@greentech411.com (630) 560-9478

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At Go Green Technologies, we offer commercial-grade LED lights. Looking ahead, what we really intend to offer…. is a brighter future.