CI \ Energy Efficiency: LED Retrofits for Slot Machines
Tribal Casino Best Management Practices

What?
Why?
Slot machines at tribal casinos use a variety
of illumination lamps (bulbs), including both
incandescent and energy efficient lights
(fluorescents and light emitting diodes -
LEDs). Though fluorescent lights are
considerably more efficient than incandescent
bulbs, LEDs are even more efficient, last
significantly longer than incandescent and
fluorescent lights, and generate very little
heat. Because slot machines typically
operate 24/7, year-round, their energy
consumption is a good target for efficiency
gains. In addition, minimizing slot machine maintenance and downtime is a
high priority for casinos, and LEDs require less frequent replacement. Many
light vendors now offer direct LED retrofits for fluorescent and incandescent
fixtures in most slot machines.
Saves Money: Replacing fluorescent
lights with LEDs pays for itself in less than
one year (see page 2).
Reduces Energy Demand: LEDs use 40
to 60% less electricity than the fluorescents
they replace.
Reduces slot machine downtime and
labor costs: On average, changing
fluorescent bulbs and ballasts in 100 slot
machines requires 1 to 2 hours/week more
labor than machines using LEDs.
Reduces cooling requirements: LEDs produce very little heat, reducing
the cost of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) by $1 -
$3/year per LED lamp, depending on electricity rates.
Easier, cheaper disposal - LEDs can be disposed of in regular trash,
while fluorescents require special handling and disposal as "Universal
Waste" because they contain mercury.
How?
i Identify LED retrofit vendors and machines with available replacement kits.
2.	Target slot machines that will be used for at least 2 more years.
3.	Retrofit either with gradual replacement as fluorescent lamps burn out, or
convert over shorter time period.
Challenges:
Scheduling: Slot machine maintenance and servicing needs to be
scheduled to minimize downtime and adhere to security policies.
Documenting Savings: Slot machine energy use is hard to separate out
from the rest of casino equipment and activities; therefore direct
measurement of slot machines is usually required to document savings.
2010	1	EPA-909-F-09-006
EPA Region 9 contact: Jessica Counts-Arnold, Pollution Prevention Coordinator; counts-arnold. iessica&epa.aov
* A •
This fact sheet was produced by EPA's Pacific Southwest Regional Office. Mention of trade names, products, or services does not
convey, and should not be interpreted as conveying official EPA approval, endorsement, or recommendation.	\ ^
Printed on 100% recycled paper> 50% post-consumer content - process chlorine-free.

-------
• A *
&&}
%P„0^
Energy Efficiency: LED Retrofits for Slot Machines
Tribal Casino Best Management Practices
Equipment:
LED Retrofit Kits: Low power, low heat, mercury free (LED vendors typically
claim up to 100,000 hour life expectancy, but depending on quality and heat
conditions, LEDs last about 5 years); kits use same mounts as fluorescents and
also eliminate the fluorescent ballast
Savings and Cost Analysis for Each LED Light Retrofit

Fluorescent
(38 watt lamp)
LED
(17 watt array)
Savings
Energy Savings1
332 kWh/yr
149 kWh/yr
183 kWh/yr
Energy2
$48.85/yr
$22.12/yr
$24.72/yr
Maintenance Labor
$14.60/yr3
$1.67/yr4
$12.93/yr
Lamp/Ballast Replace.
$54.00/yr5
$8.006
$46.00/yr
Disposal

~$3.00/yr
Annual Savings
Cost of LED Retrofit7
Simple Payback
$86.65
$52.50
0.61 years
Resources:
LED Retrofit Kits: http://www.happcontrols.com/liahtina/91101700.htm
LED Retrofit Calculators:
www.happcontrols.com/wp/led-calc.p (specifically for slot machines)
www.creeliahtina.com/calculator.aspx (general LED replacement)
Energy Star LEDs: www.eneravstar.aov/index.cfm?c=ssl.pr why es com
1	Energy Savings: ($ cost of lamp/yr-lamp) (1 kWh/$0.15)
2	Based on $0.1351/kwh. Energy Information Agency: Commercial Rates - May 2009:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/table5_6_a.html
3	Maintenance - Fluorescents = (1 lamp/5,000 hr) (8,760 hr/yr) ($25/hr) (1 hr/3 lamps) = $14.60/year
4	Maintenance - LEDs = (1 lamp/43,800 hr) (8,760 hr/yr) ($25/hr) (1 hr/3 lamps) = $1.67/year
5	Fluorescents Replacement Lamp/Ballast: ($1.30/lamp + $25.70/ballast) (2 replacements/year) = $54.00/year
6	Annual LED Replacement Cost: ($40/LED kit) (1 replacement/5 year) = $8.00/year
7	Cost of LED Retrofit: ($40/LED kit)+($25/hour labor)(0.5 hours) = $52.50
2010
m)

-------