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Summary

LED Display Case Lighting

Display Case Lighting: LED vs. Fluorescent

Strip lights, usually mounted horizontally at frame edges of glass display cases.

Synopsis:

Display case lighting has typically been provided by fluorescent luminaires that use an omnidirectional light source to deliver directed illumination. Unlike traditional fluorescent lighting, LED display case lighting can take advantage of the inherent directionality of LEDs to direct all of the available light onto the shelves where it is needed, eliminating wasted light and energy.

LED display case lighting systems are widely available from a number of manufacturers. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is encouraging research, development and market penetration of the technology and is providing resources for objective, ongoing information about the technology. The Design Lights Consortium includes a category for LED display case lighting.

Energy savings over traditional display case lighting using fluorescent sources may be significant—up to 25 - 40% depending on design light levels and fixture efficiency. Lamp life could be significantly longer than other systems in use, potentially providing maintenance savings that can be significant for retail applications. The white light is available in a range of color temperatures and high CRI suitable for retail lighting uses. Additionally, the DOE predicts continued improvement in efficacy and decline in price for LED lighting.

Energy Savings: 54%
Energy Savings Rating: Limited Assessment  What's this?
LevelStatusDescription
1Concept not validatedClaims of energy savings may not be credible due to lack of documentation or validation by unbiased experts.
2Concept validated:An unbiased expert has validated efficiency concepts through technical review and calculations based on engineering principles.
3Limited assessmentAn unbiased expert has measured technology characteristics and factors of energy use through one or more tests in typical applications with a clear baseline.
4Extensive assessmentAdditional testing in relevant applications and environments has increased knowledge of performance across a broad range of products, applications, and system conditions.
5Comprehensive analysisResults of lab and field tests have been used to develop methods for reliable prediction of performance across the range of intended applications.
6Approved measureProtocols for technology application are established and approved.

Status:

Details

LED Display Case Lighting

Display Case Lighting: LED vs. Fluorescent

Strip lights, usually mounted horizontally at frame edges of glass display cases.
Item ID: 400
Sector: Commercial
Energy System: Lighting--Fixtures: Indoor

Synopsis:

Display case lighting has typically been provided by fluorescent luminaires that use an omnidirectional light source to deliver directed illumination. Unlike traditional fluorescent lighting, LED display case lighting can take advantage of the inherent directionality of LEDs to direct all of the available light onto the shelves where it is needed, eliminating wasted light and energy.

LED display case lighting systems are widely available from a number of manufacturers. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is encouraging research, development and market penetration of the technology and is providing resources for objective, ongoing information about the technology. The Design Lights Consortium includes a category for LED display case lighting.

Energy savings over traditional display case lighting using fluorescent sources may be significant—up to 25 - 40% depending on design light levels and fixture efficiency. Lamp life could be significantly longer than other systems in use, potentially providing maintenance savings that can be significant for retail applications. The white light is available in a range of color temperatures and high CRI suitable for retail lighting uses. Additionally, the DOE predicts continued improvement in efficacy and decline in price for LED lighting.

Baseline Example:

Baseline Description: Linear fluorescent lighting, 19W per linear foot
Baseline Energy Use: 78.2 kWh per year per unit

Comments:

This estimate came from a review of fluorescent products of various length online, mostly Hara and Microfluorescent brand. Average/most comment was about 19 watts per linear foot.  MR-16 also a good base case.  (Note: the MR16 is a multifaceted reflector halogen light source that is used for directional accent, task, and display lighting).  The installed base of MR-16's is about 46 million in with 56% in the commercial sector and 43% in households (Navigant, 2013).  Residential sector lamps average 44W while commercial sector units average 30W (MR-16's come in 20, 35, and 50W ratings) (EERE, 2011).  Average wattage is thus 35.7W.  Commercial lamps operate for 3,270 hours per year while residential units operate for 840 hours annually leading to a weighted average of 2,192 hours per year.  Average annual electrical energy use is thus 78.2 kWh/year. 

Manufacturer's Energy Savings Claims: Currently no data available.
Best Estimate of Energy Savings:

"Typical" Savings: 54%
Energy Savings Reliability: 3 - Limited Assessment

Comments:

Replacement LED lamps for the MR-16 use 15 to 16 W.  As the average commercial and residential halogen lamp Wattage is 34.9, the savings given an LED replacement is about 54%  (EERE, 2011).

Energy Use of Emerging Technology:
36 kWh per unit per year What's this?

Energy Use of an Emerging Technology is based upon the following algorithm.

Baseline Energy Use - (Baseline Energy Use * Best Estimate of Energy Savings (either Typical savings OR the high range of savings.))

Technical Potential:
Units: unit
Potential number of units replaced by this technology: 1,730,000
Comments:

As of 2012, the nationwide population of halogen MR-16 lamps was 48,000,000 ( Navigant, 2013-04-01).  Assuming that lamp use is proportional to population, the Northwest region is assumed to operate 4% x 48 million = 1.92 million MR-16 lamps at that time.  LED penetration increased to 10% in 2012, so the base is discounted by 0.19 million lamps to yield about 1.73 million units.  Note that LED MR-16 lamps have had the most success in terms of replacements (in the commercial sector) and the penetration of LED lamps has undoubtedly increased significantly since 2012.  The population of residential MR-16 halogen lamps operates for far fewer hours per year and does not offer the savings associated with commercial retrofits.   

Regional Technical Potential:
0.07 TWh per year
8 aMW
What's this?

Regional Technical Potential of an Emerging Technology is calculated as follows:

Baseline Energy Use * Estimate of Energy Savings (either Typical savings OR the high range of savings) * Technical Potential (potential number of units replaced by the Emerging Technology)

First Cost: Currently no data available.

Cost Effectiveness:

Simple payback, new construction (years): N/A

Simple payback, retrofit (years): N/A

What's this?

Cost Effectiveness is calculated using baseline energy use, best estimate of typical energy savings, and first cost. It does not account for factors such as impacts on O&M costs (which could be significant if product life is greatly extended) or savings of non-electric fuels such as natural gas. Actual overall cost effectiveness could be significantly different based on these other factors.

Reference and Citations:

DOE EERE, 05/01/2013. Adoption of Light-Emitting Diodes in Common Applications
Department of Energy, Solid State Lighting Program, Building Technologies Office

DOE, 08/14/2014. Solid State Lighting
U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

DOE, 08/14/2014. LED Lighting Facts
U.S. Department of Energy

Navigant , 01/01/2011. Energy Savings Estimates of Light Emitting Diodes in Niche Lighting Applications
U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program

DLC, 01/01/2013. US DOE Solid State Lighting Technical Resources
DesignLights Consortium

Rank & Scores

LED Display Case Lighting

There is no TAG available for this technology.
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