Whitehead & Associates, an Atlanta-based electrical manufacturer’s representative, specializing in providing energy saving solutions to the commercial and industrial markets, announces the completion of an extensive lighting retrofit project for Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD). This lighting retrofit included all of the company's 546 senior care communities. This initiative is expected to save an estimated $5 million annually in electric utility costs with a return on investment of roughly 12 months. The compact fluorescent lamps specified as part of the project have an expected lifespan of 10 to 15 times the incandescent products they replaced. These lamps provide more light than their incandescent counterparts and provide approximately 75 percent energy savings.
The lighting retrofit was executed in each of Brookdale’s communities over a two-year period using Brookdale in-house maintenance teams. These labor teams focused on retrofitting existing fixtures in exit signs, corridors, bathrooms and resident rooms. About 95% of the lighting fixtures in the communities had a savings opportunity. The retrofit also included signage and outdoor lighting when appropriate.
Jeff Patton, Vice President of Procurement at Brookdale Senior Living, said the choice was made to keep the hands-on work in-house to avoid additional fees and enable the asset management teams to choose the best solutions for their communities. “Each community is different; therefore, there were different sets of challenges at each facility, and the individual teams were best able to identify where changes could be made. The one common goal we had was to maintain the safest and most comfortable environment for our residents. Ultimately, we were able to accomplish this objective with the right lamp choices, which significantly cut lighting consumption and increased light levels by more than 30 percent.”
The most common solutions utilized TCP’s broad range of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb styles. Because Brookdale took advantage of many utility rebate programs offered around the country, some specific TCP lamps including many of the GU-24 base lamps were used in order to qualify for the rebates. Brookdale also used the “InstaBright” CFL line from TCP in bathroom vanity applications. This specification was made for safety as well as energy savings. Other TCP products that were used were Flat Face Par 20’s, 30’s and 38’s, decorative CFL’s and some LED lamps in night lights and nursing call applications.
About Brookdale Senior Living
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is a leading owner and operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The company owns and operates independent living, assisted living and dementia care communities and continuing care retirement centers with 562 communities in 35 states and the ability to serve approximately 52,000 residents. Brookdale is committed to providing exceptional living experiences within properties that are purpose-built, designed and operated to help residents live well while achieving an Optimum Life®. Brookdale Senior Living communities provide a daily experience of programs, services and care that are unique as a result of the collective talents and inspiration of the residents, their families, and its associates – demonstrating Brookdale’s promise of “Our People Make the Difference.” Brookdale is a publicly-traded company (NYSE:BKD). For more information, visit www.brookdaleliving.com.
About Whitehead & Associates
For more than 40 years, Whitehead & Associates has been a proven manufacturer’s representative to the electrical industry. Its solutions address commercial and industrial lighting, and electrical utility applications. More than 15 years ago, in response to customer demand, Whitehead & Associates launched a consulting arm dedicated to energy auditing and specification, now named Whitehead Energy Solutions. Based in Atlanta, Whitehead & Associates employs more than 20 people and has two other offices in Nashville, Tenn., and Birmingham, Ala. For more information visit: www.whiteheadassoc.com or www.whiteheadenergysolutions.com, or call 800-730-4453.
The lighting retrofit was executed in each of Brookdale’s communities over a two-year period using Brookdale in-house maintenance teams. These labor teams focused on retrofitting existing fixtures in exit signs, corridors, bathrooms and resident rooms. About 95% of the lighting fixtures in the communities had a savings opportunity. The retrofit also included signage and outdoor lighting when appropriate.
Jeff Patton, Vice President of Procurement at Brookdale Senior Living, said the choice was made to keep the hands-on work in-house to avoid additional fees and enable the asset management teams to choose the best solutions for their communities. “Each community is different; therefore, there were different sets of challenges at each facility, and the individual teams were best able to identify where changes could be made. The one common goal we had was to maintain the safest and most comfortable environment for our residents. Ultimately, we were able to accomplish this objective with the right lamp choices, which significantly cut lighting consumption and increased light levels by more than 30 percent.”
The most common solutions utilized TCP’s broad range of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb styles. Because Brookdale took advantage of many utility rebate programs offered around the country, some specific TCP lamps including many of the GU-24 base lamps were used in order to qualify for the rebates. Brookdale also used the “InstaBright” CFL line from TCP in bathroom vanity applications. This specification was made for safety as well as energy savings. Other TCP products that were used were Flat Face Par 20’s, 30’s and 38’s, decorative CFL’s and some LED lamps in night lights and nursing call applications.
About Brookdale Senior Living
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is a leading owner and operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The company owns and operates independent living, assisted living and dementia care communities and continuing care retirement centers with 562 communities in 35 states and the ability to serve approximately 52,000 residents. Brookdale is committed to providing exceptional living experiences within properties that are purpose-built, designed and operated to help residents live well while achieving an Optimum Life®. Brookdale Senior Living communities provide a daily experience of programs, services and care that are unique as a result of the collective talents and inspiration of the residents, their families, and its associates – demonstrating Brookdale’s promise of “Our People Make the Difference.” Brookdale is a publicly-traded company (NYSE:BKD). For more information, visit www.brookdaleliving.com.
About Whitehead & Associates
For more than 40 years, Whitehead & Associates has been a proven manufacturer’s representative to the electrical industry. Its solutions address commercial and industrial lighting, and electrical utility applications. More than 15 years ago, in response to customer demand, Whitehead & Associates launched a consulting arm dedicated to energy auditing and specification, now named Whitehead Energy Solutions. Based in Atlanta, Whitehead & Associates employs more than 20 people and has two other offices in Nashville, Tenn., and Birmingham, Ala. For more information visit: www.whiteheadassoc.com or www.whiteheadenergysolutions.com, or call 800-730-4453.