Swiss Chalet Restaurants

Swiss Chalet brightens the dining experience

Upgrading to energy-efficient lighting hasn't just brightened the bottom line for Swiss Chalet Restaurants. It has also created a more pleasant dining experience for patrons across Canada, and the Power Smart Product Incentive Program was part of the menu.

The Challenge: Cut costs, improve lighting

As the owner of six national restaurant chains, as well as Canada’s largest airline catering business, Cara Operations knows the importance of running an efficient operation – and of staying ahead of the curve. That was why senior management saw a clear opportunity to upgrade the lighting at its Swiss Chalet restaurants across Canada. The old PAR 20 lamps that were in place were inefficient and tended to burn out frequently, so employees were constantly replacing light bulbs.

As well, the potential ban of incandescent bulbs by the Ontario government by 2010 was a motivator. For Cara Operations, these two reasons provided an excellent opportunity to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy waste and lead change – all at once.

The plan: Switch to CCFLs, CFLs and LEDs

Cara decided to “go national,” replacing the inefficient lights with cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) at all Swiss Chalet restaurants across Canada, including nine locations in B.C. They would also install compact fluorescent lamps and replace incandescent exit signs with energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) exit signs at some locations.

In B.C., Cara worked with BC Hydro and received $2,478 in incentives for eligible products through the Power Smart Product Incentive Program. Together with projected annual electricity savings of over $9,800, the incentives make the project payback much more attractive.

Ensuring the right ambiance for patrons is paramount. The new lighting does that, while providing considerable energy savings year after year.

The Benefits: Big savings, comfortable lighting

Improved atmosphere

CCFL’s are unique in that they are an energy-efficient alternative that provides dimming capability. The new lights provide pleasant, comfortable lighting plus the ability to create the desired atmosphere.

Remarkable savings

The nine B.C. Swiss Chalet locations are saving a total of $9,378 each year in reduced electricity costs.

Easy installation

Cold cathodes are simple to change because they are the same shape and size as the PAR 20s they are replacing and they screw into the existing lighting fixtures.

Maintenance savings

CCFLs last for 25,000 hours, eight to ten times longer than the old lamps. Using CCFLs exclusively in the Swiss Chalet restaurants means that the lighting is consistent and that maintenance staff need to keep only one type of replacement lamp on hand.

The details: Product by product

Cara Operations worked with Relamping Services of Canada, a Power Smart Alliance member, to coordinate and install the following lighting upgrades.

PAR 20 lamps changed to CCFLs: 1,126
Traditional light bulbs changed to screw-in CFLs: 33
Incandescent exit signs changed to LED exit signs: 32

Electricity saved each year (kilowatt hours): 172,820
Annual savings on bills and maintenance: $9,850
Value of Power Smart incentives: $2,478

You can save, too

Discover just how much your administrative or commercial facility can benefit from energy-efficient lighting technologies – now and for years to come. Under the Power Smart Product Incentive Program, a variety of products qualify for incentives that can lower paybacks and make upgrade projects even more attractive:

• Compact fluorescent lamps save up to 75% in energy costs over incandescent lamps.
• Energy Saver T8 fluorescents with electronic ballasts save 40% to 50% in energy costs over the older T12s with magnetic ballasts.
• LED exit signs are 90% more efficient than incandescent signs and last up to 25 years.
• Lighting occupancy sensors can save up to 70% in energy costs, depending on the room, while prolonging the lifespan of your lighting products.

Learn how you can benefit from energy-efficient technologies on our Product Incentive Program pages or call 1 866 453 6400.