U-Haul Corporate Headquarters Parking Structure, Phoenix
Retrofit Team
Manufacturer’s Representative: Wild West Lighting Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz.
Materials
The existing lighting was inconsistent and not aesthetically pleasing. The lighting tended to yellow and could cast shadows that created a murky effect throughout the structure. The less than ideal lighting also was energy inefficient.
When U-Haul began its search for a new lighting solution, it was concerned about the high temperatures in Phoenix so it initially considered fluorescent and induction options because of the higher Kelvin temperatures available. However, since U-Haul’s initial look, LED lighting technology has greatly improved and became the clear choice.
U-Haul requirements for its LED lighting solution included better light quality and performance, lower maintenance needs and costs, a product warranty and light-level control functionality. Cree LED lighting was able to deliver the energy reduction U-Haul was seeking with all the performance, quality and control features it demanded.
The lighting upgrade for U-Haul was comprehensive and provided an opportunity to maximize energy savings. “The scope of the project included replacing nearly 400 fluorescent lighting fixtures with led luminaires,” explains Michelle Sullivan, U-Haul manager of corporate sustainability. All the lighting in the parking garage was from 4-foot, 25-watt T8 lamps, and roughly 85 percent of all fixtures included four lamps. “With the new led applications, we were able to eliminate more than 12 percent of our existing fixtures,” Sullivan continues.
The T8 lamps were replaced with 324 Cree VG Series LED parking structure luminaires because of the light quality, output and lighting controls available. The 24/7 availability of the corporate office meant the parking structure lighting would be on 24/7. With the VG Series lighting control features, the new lights operate when needed—and time in use has been trimmed to approximately four hours per day.
Prior to the new lighting, maintenance was performed by U-Haul building technicians approximately every three weeks and was scheduled before or after normal business hours for minimal impact on the normal traffic flow. Material costs, time and labor added up to a costly monthly exercise. Now, the building technicians can focus on other areas of the facility as the costs of installation and replacement products are freed up for other expenses.
In addition to positive numbers surrounding maintenance and energy savings, feedback on the new lighting has been excellent. “There are no longer dimly lit areas in our parking structure that had previously raised safety concerns,” Sullivan says. “With the increased amount and quality of light, visibility in the garage has improved overall.”
More than 50 Cree LS Series surface ambient luminaires were installed for ramp and stairwell lighting, as well as OSQ Area Series and XSP Series Wall Pack outdoor luminaires. U-Haul is pleased Cree was able to accommodate the aged and uniquely shaped parking structure.
Along with improved light quality, U-Haul expects to realize more than 15 percent energy savings from the LED lighting upgrade. The new lighting has reduced the existing wattage by more than 17,000 watts to provide an estimated annual kilowatt-hour savings of more than 250,000 kWh. The expected lifetime savings is 3.7 million kWh. Additionally, U-Haul benefited from a generous rebate from Arizona Public Service, its local utility provider.
LED Manufacturer: Cree
PHOTO: Cree