Recently, The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Gateway report on LED freezer-case lighting in Eugene, Oregon, as well as the summary report of round 9 of CALiPER testing. 

DOE has published the final report from a demonstration retrofit of LED freezer-case lighting in an Albertsons Grocery store in Eugene, Oregon. This Gateway demonstration report provides an overview of project results including lighting performance, economic performance, and potential energy savings.

In this project, upright freezer cases were retrofitted with LED striplights combined with occupancy sensors, and compared against standard fluorescent lighting on the opposite side of the aisle. Key findings include:

Total energy savings (including more efficient light source, reduced consumption from occupancy sensors, reduced demand on the compressor, and reduced illumination levels) is estimated to be 2,659 kWh per year for a typical 5-door case. The reduction in illumination was pre-approved by the site in order to bring down the first cost of the installation.

Calculated simple payback from energy savings alone was approximately six years; maintenance savings were estimated to further reduce the payback to just over five years; and potential area rebates and tax credits could further reduce the payback period to less than two years.

It’s said that, this LED lighting demonstration is one of many DOE Gateway demonstrations that showcase high-performance LED products for general illumination.