Case Study

Working with BlueStar Energy, KVH Chicago took that first step towards becoming green as the facilities team made some smart energy choices that will have long lasting benefits for KVH, its employees and the environment.

"More than 1,000 bulbs along with the associated ballasts and reflectors were replaced by 3 technicians over a period of 10 days. The main production floor was done on the weekend, so there was very limited impact on production." The power use on the two lighting panels measured before and after the lighting change showed an average 40 percent reduction in power use.

"The light readings show comparable or better foot candle levels in the areas tested," continues KVH's manufacturing engineering manager. "In the military display inspection area, the new lighting is actually allowing team members to see more particles that are not being seen in the assembly area, which still has the clean air module T-12 lighting but will be changed in the near future. Of course, there is an adjustment period for the new lighting, but overall the feedback has been positive and we are looking forward to lower electric bills."

Additional Benefits

An additional, and equally important, benefit of the new T-8 bulbs is the potential for a corresponding boost in productivity. Studies show that quality lighting in a workplace helps workers produce more products with fewer mistakes and leads to a 10 to 50 percent increase in productivity. Good lighting can also decrease errors by as much as 30 to 60 percent.

Before and After

See the immediate difference in lighting quality after the work. In the new section of the plant, the old lighting (left) cast harsh arcs of light along the walls while offering less illumination compared to the new lights (right)

Products Used

At the heart of the effort was the overhaul of the overhead lighting by switching from T-12 bulbs (which will be discontinued in the next few years) and halogen lighting to the more energy efficient T-8 bulbs. The new T-8 bulbs closely reproduce the properties of natural sunlight and provide energy savings. The result? KVH Chicago is lowering its energy needs and protecting the environment by reducing greenhouse emissions.

EPA Reductions and Equivalencies

Beyond the monetary and efficiency gains there are several environmental benefit reductions that occurred because of the work performed by BlueStar Energy.

• 134,119 kWh energy reduced on an annual basis
• 17 cars off the road for one entire year
• 96 tons CO₂ reduction of greenhouse gas on an annual basis
• 2,470 trees absorbing pollution for 10 years