Worthington Industries

Worthington Industries partnered with Energy Design Engineers to upgrade their Jackson, MI facility with a networked lighting control system that dramatically reduced energy waste, improved lighting quality, and enabled an easy-to-test emergency lighting setup. The average light level increased from 15 to 30 footcandles, while lighting energy load was reduced by over 85%. By creating occupancy-based lighting zones, the facility eliminated unnecessary energy use in areas often unoccupied for hours. This efficiency boost, paired with intelligent controls, enabled a carbon footprint reduction of 615 metric tons annually. The project also unlocked an additional $157,418 in utility incentives due to its outstanding energy savings, covering 50% of the project cost. Worthington now enjoys full control over light levels and behaviors, with a long-lasting solution expected to require little to no maintenance for over 25 years—all contributing to a rapid 1.41-year simple payback and a 10-year positive cash flow of $629,260.17.