Weis Markets’ Lewisburg store in Union County recently replaced its fluorescent lights with LED lighting, which will reduce the store’s lighting energy usage by an estimated 66 percent. The new lighting is now in use in all areas of the store and its parking lot.

This is the company’s first store with 100 percent LED lighting. A key feature of the system is its automated dimming capabilities. This automation allows dimming to occur based on time of day, thus further enhancing the energy reduction.

“As a sustainable company, we are always looking for ways to lower energy consumption and reduce our carbon footprint,” says R. Kevin Small, VP of Store Development. “In recent years, LED lighting has become a practical option due to improved performance and pricing. Ultimately, our Lewisburg store’s new LED lighting will reduce our annual carbon emissions by 594 tons which is equivalent to taking 115 cars off the road.”

On average LED lights last 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs differ from traditional incandescent bulbs in the way they produce light. While incandescent light bulbs passed electricity through a filament, LEDs produce light through the use of a semiconductor that emits light energy when an electrical current is passed through it.

The store also reduced its refrigeration energy load by installing doors on its refrigerated dairy cases, which were also upgraded with LED lighting. Reduced refrigeration load lessens the store’s energy consumption and impact on the earth’s ozone layer and global warming.

Weis Markets has an award-winning sustainability program. In 2014, it recycled more than 31,450 tons of waste including 22,387 pounds of cardboard, 479 tons of waxed cardboard, 720 tons of plastic bags and 4,000 tons of food waste composted.

For more information on its environmental programs, visit Weis Markets’ Sustainability webpage.

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