Back-of-House Retailer Energy Savings
The tremendous benefits for front-of-house retail operations that can result from the installation of latest-generation LED lighting systems are well-established, from an improved shopping experience for customers to dramatic long-term reductions in energy bills.
Although the advantages of taking a similar approach to back-of-house areas can be similarly profound, retailers have only recently begun to understand how significantly improved illumination levels can improve workforce productivity and efficiency, and reduce energy consumption (often by more than 50 per cent and with immediate effect).
Tony Ludlow, Managing Director of Connected Light, says:
"Don't underestimate the benefits of implementing latest-generation systems. Properly designed and specified, contemporary LED-based lighting can deliver improvements every bit as dramatic as those achieved on the shop-floor for one or more of the following reasons:
"Energy consumption: The efficiency of LED systems has been on a steep upward curve over the last decade, with a recent study demonstrating an increase of approximately 50 peer cent since 2012. Even when compared to the more energy-conscious fluorescent systems, improvements in energy consumption of well over 60 per cent are commonly encountered.
Return on Investment (RoI): In a small to medium-sized retail back-of-house space, a complete new system may pay for itself in only a few months of reduced energy bills. Even in much larger areas, payback periods are rarely more than a year or so.
Carbon reduction: As the Government pursues ambitious carbon reduction targets, there is a practical and moral obligation for retail outlets to lower their carbon emissions. LED lighting can be a vital asset in this regard.
Reduction in energy wastage: The deployment of LED lighting that is integrated with sensors and control technology means that unnecessary illumination can become a thing of the past. For example, individual stock aisles lit only when a member of staff enters, rather than the entire room being lit full-time, with obvious ramifications for energy savings.
Lower installation and maintenance costs: Modern systems can be more effectively monitored, paving the way for further energy-saving optimisation. And with a general life expectancy of 50,000 hours, there is much less need for replacements as well as potentially disruptive maintenance work."
