Karl Chevrolet, Ankeny, Iowa
Retrofit Team
Electrical Contractor: Tesdell Electric, Ankeny
Electrical Distributor: 3E, Des Moines, Iowa
Lighting Distributor: Lighting Solutions of Iowa, Ankeny
Materials
Since its founding in the 1970s, Karl Chevrolet has had a progressive outlook on new technology. Management knew it wanted to replace the legacy 1,000-watt metal halide fixtures but needed a proven one-to-one replacement and a controls solution that was affordable and compliant with the local utility’s program requirements to qualify for a custom rebate. In addition, Karl Chevrolet is located close to one of the busiest stretches of interstate in the Midwest and the solution had to be dependable and work 100 percent as planned.
3E and Lighting Solutions of Iowa developed a lighting solution that included Spaulding Lighting’s Arceos ARA 3 and Hubbell Control Solutions’ wiSCAPE platform. The Arceos ARA 3 was designed for mounting heights of up to 50 feet, features the latest LED technology, precision optics, thermal management and controls while providing uniformity for large area/site applications. The ARA 3 is a 1,000-watt HID replacement, offering more than 50 percent energy savings, three lumen options for design flexibility and backlight control to reduce light trespass. By selecting the Arceos ARA 3 Type IA distribution fixture in the front-row applications, the team was able to reduce luminaire count by 60 heads where two existing 1,000-watt metal halide at 1,100 watts each with ballast load could be replaced with one 580-watt fixture. This solution decreases the amount of light spilling onto the streets at night without losing the visual impact of product on the front row.
To further increase energy savings, the lighting team elected to use wiSCAPE to create and control the lighting scenes. The wireless control system is non-invasive and non-disruptive, allowing engineers to avoid a lengthy wiring process and installing relay panels. The wiSCAPE module is supported by wiSCAPE View, a graphical system management software platform that can configure, control, monitor and meter the facility’s lighting systems. The wiSCAPE View software empowers facility managers with real-time monitoring, instant alarm notifications from faulty lighting equipment, and increased network efficiency and maintenance operations— all from a smartphone or tablet.
Karl Chevrolet now can dim all fixtures for closed business hours, rather than turning off roughly 50 percent of the poles, resulting in better uniformity after hours. The front row is dimmed to 30 percent and the interior poles dimmed to 20 percent. The dimming also fades to dim to make the change less noticeable. The fixtures have been strategically staggered when turning on to help eliminate inrush.
Because of the higher light levels observed after installation, the team decided to apply a 10 percent high-end trim to max light levels. This will result in even higher energy savings than originally estimated.
A surprising byproduct of the success of the new installation included the elimination of dark spots on the lot. The uniformity of the light was instantly better because of advantages associated with LED technology. The security team at Karl Chevrolet notes the clarity of nighttime security footage is 10 times better than it was before. It is now easier to see plate numbers and follow automobiles through the lot.
Lighting Manufacturer: Spaulding Lighting
Lighting Controls Manufacturer: Hubbell Control Solutions
The Retrofit
At 30 acres, Karl Chevrolet is one of the largest single-line Chevrolet dealerships in the U.S. Lighting this site at high light-level requirements is no easy task. Providing performance in a cost-effective manner makes it even more challenging.
In the first full month of operation, the team saw a $12,500 reduction in energy costs—before wiSCAPE was operating. The annual energy savings is expected to be $143,465 and the total reduction in energy use will be 74 percent. Added to this figure is an annual maintenance savings of $11,988. The combination of energy savings and controls enables Karl Chevrolet to qualify for a $262,000 rebate from MidAmerican Energy, the Des Moines, Iowa-based electric utility. In addition, the payback period is 3.4 years and the internal rate of return is 33 percent.
“If the initial results are indicative of what’s to come, the return on this investment in luminaires and controls will be much better than initially predicted,” says Shaun Rydl, Karl Chevrolet’s facilities manager. “We feel great about our decision to upgrade to LED technology and new lighting controls, especially when we see that waiting would have cost us almost $2 million in savings over the next 10 years. Finances and energy savings aside, the appearance of our entire property is simply outstanding at night.”
Photos: Hubbell Lighting