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NEWS RELEASE                                          October 16, 2008

 

For more information, contact Christy Redmond or Marie Casey at 314/721-2828.

 

Schaeffer ElectricÕs Lighting Services Produce

$300,000 in Annual Energy Savings for BJC HealthCare

 

BJC HealthCare Gains Three-Year Payback on Lighting Investment

 

      ST. LOUIS – To reduce energy costs and minimize environmental impact, BJC HealthCare has partnered with St. Louis-based Schaeffer Electric Co., Inc. for lighting renovations and maintenance.  The upgrades will generate $300,000 in annual energy savings for the healthcare company.  The regionÕs largest employer signed a lighting retrofit contract with Schaeffer to replace light fixtures, lamps and ballasts in four parking garages and seven BJC-affiliated hospitals and medical offices. 

      Schaeffer retrofitted more than 1,900 fixtures with new fluorescent ballasts and lamps; replaced more than 2,200 fixtures with new energy efficient fluorescent fixtures; and re-lamped more than 8,500 lighting fixtures.  Work was performed at several BJC-affiliated locations, including the Barnes-Jewish Hospital complex in St. LouisÕ Central West End, both Christian Hospital campuses in North St. Louis County and the Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital facility in Creve Coeur, Mo.

      ÒEnergy savings from these lighting updates will pay for BJCÕs full investment in fewer than 36 months,Ó said Dan Schaeffer, president of Schaeffer Electric. ÒIf utility costs rise, the payback period will be even faster.  BJC also will benefit from lower maintenance costs since the new lamps and ballasts offer longer life guarantees.Ó

            ÒSchaeffer Electric was able to develop lighting solutions that quickly pay for themselves in energy savings,Ó noted Steve Cockerham, vice president of planning, design and construction at BJC HealthCare.  ÒSchaefferÕs ability to cut our costs and enhance safety with better lighting align with our

goals as a healthcare organization.  We also appreciate the seamless service by the firmÕs skilled electricians, which has minimized disruption to our patients, staff and visitors.Ó

            The new fluorescent lamps in Barnes-Jewish HospitalÕs parking garages generate more consistently high levels of lighting for the duration of the lamp life, creating safety and security benefits in parking garages.  Metal halide and high pressure sodium lamps dim over time.

BJC HealthCare has selected Schaeffer Electric for additional lighting retrofit and maintenance services to be completed by the end of the year at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital main campus.

A complete energy analysis to estimate the projectÕs energy savings was completed by Kelly Wood, account manager at Grainger, Inc., a worldwide industrial supply company.

             Schaeffer performs lighting maintenance work with a specialized crew of electricians belonging to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One.  The expert crews offer highly productive installations to owners.

Schaeffer Electric provides a full range of electrical contracting services, including electrical construction in residential, commercial and industrial settings; data and communication; lighting maintenance; and exterior lighting.  Founded in 1935, the firm is also a leader in the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).  Visit the St. Louis electrician online for more information at:  www.schaefferelectric.com.

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