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Jan. 29, 2024

WattStopper Controls Save Energy for Kaiser Permanente

May 1, 2010
Kaiser Permanente undertook a warehouse renovation designed to improve lighting and reduce energy consumption. The upgrade resulted in better task lighting

Kaiser Permanente undertook a warehouse renovation designed to improve lighting and reduce energy consumption. The upgrade resulted in better task lighting throughout the facility and energy savings of over 40 percent, due in part to WattStopper's lighting controls.

Managers at the 350,000-square-foot Kaiser Permanente distribution warehouse in Santa Clara, Calif., were dissatisfied with the facility's lighting. Task illumination was ineffective, maintenance was difficult and energy use was high. To improve the situation, they decided to completely retrofit the lighting and add energy saving controls.

Robert Ofsevit, vice president of Concord, Calif.-based Alamo Lighting, coordinated a turnkey upgrade, including over 400 WattStopper occupancy sensors and time switches. More than a year after completion, Ofsevit's design is exceeding expectations for performance and energy savings.

The new lighting uses just one lamp type - a 5,000° Kelvin extra long life 4-foot T8. Fixture types, reflectors and ballasts were carefully specified to deliver appropriate lighting levels for different areas and tasks. The overall connected load was reduced.

The upgraded fluorescent lighting provides better color rendition, less shadowing and less glare than the old lighting. Additionally, lumen maintenance is better and building maintenance is easier. Both the new lighting and the controls have been overwhelmingly embraced by employees, who now feel far more comfortable working in the space, the companies said.

WattStopper line voltage passive infrared (PIR) HB occupancy sensors control individual six-lamp high bay fixtures in the warehouse rack aisles. The PIR coverage, using aisleway lenses, ensures that lighting turns on in each section of the aisle as a worker approaches. Lighting in many rack aisles remains off for much of the day.

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