7-Eleven Getting Big Gulp-Sized LED Upgrade
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California on 11.18.08
Photo via ToastyKen
Seven Eleven Japanis planning to switch all of its new convenient stores with LED signboards and outdoor lighting in order to do its part to reduce GHG emissions. The energy-savvy effort is expected to help the chain reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 3%. That doesn’t sound like a whole heck of a lot, but when we consider the number of 7-11s that will have this reduction, it adds up quickly.
Switching to LEDs should save about 1.8 tons of carbon dioxide per store per year, with about 1,000 new stores opening each year. A question I ponder is where the heck 1,000 new stores each year are going to fit!
At any rate, the effort shows real dedication on the part of the company, which will spend over $1 billion a year for the conversion. Yet the savings will be worth it as the lights will use about 75% less energy than fluorescents.
With lights at convenience stores turned on usually 24-7, a switch to LEDs is a smart move. Other convenience stores will probably follow suit after they see what kind of savings 7-11 reaps.
Via GreenPacks
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'in order to do its part to reduce GHG emissions'
I am glad that they have 'seen the light', but let us not get too carried away with echoing the PR.
'The savings will be worth it as the lights will use about 75% less energy than fluorescents.'
'..after they see what kind of savings 7-11 reaps.'
Not to mention the kudos... oh... they can see that already.
Please, let there not be vast acres of print media issued to tell one and all about this measure.
Actually I'd be keen to know exactly how long the $1B investment will take to get to payback... and then accrue major operational savings; not really for the eco-cred but just to stamp on some beancounters' foreheads to show that green can make green.
It needn't be an 'either/or'.
Those savings should go into converting current 7/11 stores to use led tech, and then again using that profit for other eco-friendly implements. Just my 2 cents.