Lighting Retrofit & Control System Integration
Village Ford, a premier automotive dealership with expansive outdoor lots and high-volume indoor operations, faced a common challenge among dealerships: outdated, inefficient lighting systems that drove up utility costs and limited control. With over 250 exterior fixtures across seven separate lots, as well as extensive indoor service and storage areas, the dealership required a lighting solution that would dramatically reduce energy usage without the high capital costs typically associated with large-scale replacements.
"We were introduced to Wright Energy Partners through the Small Business Association of Michigan. Like many auto dealerships, we have numerous lots and buildings that all require specific lighting colors and levels of illumination. Wright Energy Partners took the time to analyze each facility on our campus, showing us how much we would save by implementing specific measures. One idea that caught our attention was to keep our lot fixtures in place and simply retrofit them with LED lamps. This saved us tens of thousands of dollars because our lot fixtures are very expensive and match our poles. We also liked the addition of installing lighting controls in areas we use intermittently throughout the day. This provides us with additional savings month after month. We were able to finance our project at 0%, so the monthly savings from the new lighting system paid for the project without an upfront expense on our part." Ryan Poisson - Facilities Engineer
Challenge
Car dealerships demand bright, uniform lighting to showcase vehicles, maintain safety, and support operational needs. However, traditional high-intensity discharge (HID) fixtures and fluorescent lamps consume large amounts of energy and require frequent maintenance. Upgrading these systems usually involves high upfront installation costs, which can be a deterrent—even when long-term savings are evident.
Solution
Rather than replacing Village Ford’s existing high-end Orion fixtures with expensive new units, our team at Wright Energy Partners engineered a more cost-effective retrofit solution. We retrofitted the exterior fixtures with LED lamps, slashing energy consumption by 60% while preserving the quality and uniformity of light across the lots. This approach not only reduced operating expenses but also saved Village Ford over $75,000 in installation costs compared to a full fixture replacement.
For the indoor spaces, including service bays, parts aisles, and upper-level stockrooms, we took a dual approach:
- Existing fixtures were rebuilt with LED lamps, offering improved light quality and efficiency.
- In areas with heavy wear or outdated technology, we installed new linear High Bay fixtures, ensuring optimal performance in high-ceilinged areas.
Recognizing that many interior zones had intermittent use, we installed a Networked Lighting Control System throughout the facility. This smart system detects motion, activating lights only when areas are occupied and turning them off after vacancy. This not only enhances energy savings but extends the life of the lighting system and reduces maintenance demands.
Financing & Incentives
To address the financial barrier that often comes with large-scale energy upgrades, we structured a 36-month financing plan that allowed Village Ford to pay for the project using their monthly energy savings. By aligning project payments with energy cost reductions, the upgrade became cash-flow neutral from day one.
Additionally, we helped the dealership secure over $79,000 in utility rebates, significantly offsetting the project cost and accelerating their return on investment.
Results
- 60% reduction in outdoor lighting energy use
- Over $75,000 saved in installation costs
- More than $79,000 in utility rebates
- Reduced indoor energy usage through efficient lighting and automated controls
- Improved lighting quality, safety, and employee productivity
This project demonstrates how thoughtful engineering, strategic retrofitting, and intelligent financing can transform a high-cost lighting upgrade into a financially viable, energy-saving solution. By working closely with Village Ford, we not only modernized their lighting infrastructure but also positioned them for long-term operational savings with minimal upfront investment.
Results in numbers
Annual Old Energy Spend
Annual New Energy Spend
Utility Rebate
.JPG)
