Launched as one of the Better Buildings Initiative’s Technology Campaigns in 2015, the Campaign is designed to address the opportunity for energy savings represented by updating perennially inefficient fluorescent lamp lighting systems, and to serve as both a recognition and guidance program for facility owners and managers. This week, the Campaign’s first year culminated at the 2016 Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International Conference and Expo with Dr. Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognizing top performing participants such as Target, CKE Holdings, Inc. and the Army Reserve for their significant achievements. 

From 100K to 1 Million 

The Campaign, led by DOE in partnership with BOMA, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the General Services Administration (GSA) and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), quickly surpassed the initial goal of upgrading 100,000 troffer lights – thanks in part to participants like Target, which replaced 120,000 troffers in 100 of its 1,800 stores by March 2016. ILC then raised their own bar, shooting for a goal of 1 million troffers. Within its first year, the Campaign has already achieved the upgrade or replacement of 650,000 troffers, which represents an estimated 130 million kWh, or $13.5 million in energy cost savings. 

The Ubiquity of Troffers 

Troffers generally operate for upwards of 10 hours per day and are responsible for an annual consumption rate of nearly 97 billion kWh of electricity. There are roughly 300 million troffers in commercial buildings across the U.S. In an effort to decrease an energy cost of approximately $9.9 billion, the equivalent of energy consumed by 8.9 million homes in one year, the BBA developed the High Efficiency Troffer Performance Specification to serve as guidance for owners and managers by detailing requirements that will result in energy savings for troffers, as well as reliable performance. The specification was developed in collaboration with the BBA’s Lighting and Electrical Technology Team, manufacturers, and stakeholders; its adoption can help building owners save up to 60% on a one-for-one basis and up to 75% with the use of controls. 

Leaders Showing the Way 

This week at the BOMA conference during the awards ceremony, 13 participants were recognized for their exemplary performance. Several leaders took home multiple awards:  

CKE Restaurant Holdings, Inc. submitted an impressive 157 sites with average savings of 53%, totaling 1.9 M kWh savings – the equivalent of the energy consumption of 177 homes. The Cleveland Clinic achieved energy savings of 2.6 M kWh over one year, resulting in a 55% energy consumption reduction in comparison to existing data. This achievement secured its standing as the Highest Absolute Annual Savings for Troffer Lighting Retrofits in the large project category. Target set the bar high for its fellow participants, receiving several awards for having saved 26 M kWh and about $2.7 million in energy costs annually.  

The Interior Lighting Campaign is on track to achieve its ambitious goal, with significant contributions from current participants and continued increase in new commitments. “These awardees are showing the way and inspiring others to step up,” said Jason Hartke, program manager of the Commercial Buildings Program at BTO. “Thanks to their leadership, we’re confident that we will meet or exceed our target of replacing 1 million high efficiency troffers by this time next year.” To learn more about the Campaign and how to get involved, visit the Interior Lighting Campaign webpage.