When it came time to specify the lighting in the McCafé McDonald’s® franchise in Dundalk, Md.,the franchise owner wanted a sustainable, energy- efficient lighting solution that provided a warm and inviting look and feel to the newly built store. Selecting the right color temperature to match the McCafé’s color scheme was crucial. Therefore, 3000K was chosen over the more typical 3500K. The tight color point consistency and natural light of the Xicato 2000-lumen 3000 CCT XSM Spot Module helped accentuate the finishes and earth tones throughout the space. These Spot Modules were housed inside downlights from Wila and wall packs from Duraguard.
“The franchise owner had very exacting requirements and is known as a thought leader in the Baltimore area,” explains Gus Apostolou, a technology engineer at Energy One Corp.com, which handled the lighting specification and installation for the project. “In order to provide energy savings, eliminate the mercury used in CFLs, and provide a better quality of light, the natural selection was the Xicato module delivered in the Wila and Duraguard fixtures,” he states. The entire store, with the exception of the induction-lit parking lot, is now illuminated by the LEDs.
Installing LEDs was a departure from the original specification, which called for 54-watt CFL fixtures in the dining room and food delivery area. These were replaced with 36-watt Xicato modules for an energy savings of 61,484.69 kWh/year. The Xicato modules are rated to last 50,000 hours, compared to a typical CFL’s 10,000 hours. Energy One Corp.com also procured rebates for the energy-efficient installation, resulting in a payback of $5,533.62 annually, excluding the additional savings that will accrue from the HVAC air handling system as a result of lower heat loads.
“The store lighting has created an inviting atmosphere where customers feel comfortable and safe,” says Chris Mann, the franchise owner. “The quality of light delivers the right look and feel and the fixture design integrates perfectly into the store.”
