Case Study: Colon Import & Export, Panama, Scores 70% Energy Savings

CHALLENGE

Colon Import & Export is a pharmaceutical, chemical and electronics distributor located in Panama with a unique set of challenges to be considered in connection with their lighting efficiency solutions.: 1) an air-conditioned warehouse and distribution facility with inefficient lighting producing high heat and poor light levels; 2) a hot equatorial location intensifying the heat factor; and 3) storage of products requiring a consistent, cool environment.

SOLUTION

Colon Import & Export brought in Aelux’s team of specialists because of our solution-centric track record, product expertise and history of client satisfaction. After our audit of this facility, we changed the lighting from HID’s (Metal Halides) to fluorescents which provided considerable cost-effective energy advantages. This further resulted in the reduction of the operating temperature of the lighting from 400 degrees to 75 degrees, while increasing foot candle measurement from 10 to 18 – all with a 15-20% HVAC related savings. Overall energy savings are more than 70%! Other benefits of fluorescent lighting over HID’s include lower energy consumption, lower lumen depreciation rates, better dimming options, faster start-up and restrike, better color rendition, more pupil lumens and reduced glare. The before and after photos below illustrate the upgrade in light levels and improvement in visibility.