We need light outdoors at night for safety, security, productivity, and enjoyment. Guidelines and technologies available today can help meet these lighting needs while providing good quality lighting that minimizes light pollution, conserves energy, and enhances community ambience, including the effect on wildlife and our view of the starry night sky.

Supermarkets, grocery stores and convenience stores have the second highest energy consumption of major building types in California, with electricity representing over 80% of this, and with energy-intensive refrigeration consuming the greatest fraction of electricity.

A building may contain a vast array of efficiency measures, or it may be old and inefficient. Either way, the electricity used in the building will likely be produced with inherent inefficiencies. The efficiency of fossil fuel based electricity production averages 34% (although new combined cycle plants can exceed 50% efficiency). The ultimate efficiency of any building pulling electricity from the grid is limited by that number.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) introduced new Outdoor Lighting Standards in 2005 to conserve energy and reduce electricity peak demand. The Outdoor Lighting Standards regulate lighting power, controls, and allowed lighting fixture types. Illuminated signs are also covered by the Standards.

The kitchen ventilation system is one of the largest energy-consuming end uses of a commercial food service facility. In a typical restaurant, the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system represents 20 to 30 percent of total energy consumption. The kitchen ventilation system can account for up to 50 percent of that HVAC load.

By properly designing the exhaust ventilation system for a new commercial restaurant, significant operational savings, energy efficiency, and environmental improvements can be achieved.