Ford’s Bright Idea: Replacing 50,000 Light Fixtures Turns Up Cost Savings, Co2 Reductions

* Ford Land Energy Efficiency and Supply Office is switching out and retrofitting 50,000 light fixtures that will eliminate more than 11,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions and will offer an annual savings of more than $1.3 million

* Ford’s lighting project in southeast Michigan around its Dearborn headquarters and engineering campus will deliver an estimated energy reduction of more than 18.2 million kilowatt-hours – enough to power 1,648 homes for an entire year

DEARBORN, Mich. - The lights around Ford’s Dearborn, Mich., campus are going to get more efficient, as a new lighting project kicks off that will bring an estimated energy reduction of more than 18.2 million kilowatt-hours – enough to power 1,648 U.S. residential homes for a year.

The project eliminates more than 11,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions and offers an annual cost reduction of more than $1.3 million. Ford Land Energy Efficiency and Supply Office is handling the project, by switching out and retrofitting more than 50,000 light fixtures in buildings across southeast Michigan. In fact, more than 6,000 fixtures in Ford World Headquarters alone will be replaced.

“We are continuously taking steps to make sure we’re current with the technologies that offer us reduced energy consumption, along with a cost savings for the type of space,” said Gary Jensen, manager of energy efficiency. “This project helps the environment, reduces demand on the grid and brings bottom line savings for Ford, too.”

Details of the project include:

* Retrofitting existing fixtures
* Optimizing the use of day lighting
* Replacing incandescent exit signs with LED exit signs
* Controlling unoccupied areas with occupancy sensors
* Replacing incandescent and halogen lamps with compact fluorescent and LED lamps


“Lighting technology changes rapidly, with each generation producing greater efficiencies,” said Jensen. “This is only the most recent large-scale lighting upgrade that Ford has done.”

Office buildings, test facilities, a test warehouse and a vehicle proving ground facility are all areas that will be upgraded, with the project being wrapped up in 2011. Within those buildings, lighting is being replaced in offices, conference rooms, hallways, design studios, laboratories and restrooms.

Additional benefits
The project offers several benefits including reduced lumen power density, which will support future Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) considerations. Employees and visitors also will enjoy better visual clarity and enhanced perceived brightness thanks to an improved color rendering index.

Additionally, the project will lower ongoing maintenance costs due to the reduction in total lamps and longer lamp life.

Homeowners note: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners could save $30 or more in electricity costs over the lifetime of a compact fluorescent bulb if they choose to switch to that type of bulb.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.