Sunbelt Rentals Completes Nationwide LED Lighting Upgrade
Sunbelt Rentals, a global leader in the equipment rental industry, has completed a major National LED Lighting Program across nearly 425 locations in 45 states. This milestone marks a significant advancement in the company’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence, aligning with its long-term goal of achieving Net Zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The program, focused on modernizing lighting infrastructure, has resulted in estimated annual energy savings of $1.73 million, secured $501,859 in energy rebates, and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6,012 metric tons of CO₂ annually. These achievements directly support Sunbelt Rentals’ interim goal of a 50-percent reduction in GHG-intensity by 2034.
“This nationwide LED upgrade represents far more than an infrastructure improvement — it’s a key component of our strategy to build a more sustainable and resilient future for Sunbelt Rentals,” said Karen Beadle, senior vice president, sustainability at Sunbelt Rentals. “By investing in smarter, more energy-efficient technologies across our footprint, we’re driving measurable impact for our business, customers, and the environment. This is a clear example of how operational upgrades can support long-term sustainability goals while improving day-to-day efficiency.”
To bring the program to life, Sunbelt Rentals partnered with Chateau Energy Solutions, selected through a competitive RFP process for their proven expertise in national-scale LED lighting and energy efficiency programs. Chateau Energy conducted comprehensive lighting audits, developed detailed LED lighting design and layouts, and provided end-to-end program management, collaborating closely with Sunbelt Rentals teams to deliver a smooth, efficient rollout at scale.
“Sunbelt Rentals is a visionary organization committed to progress,” said Rebecca Lathe, program manager at Chateau Energy Solutions. “They set clear expectations and embraced collaboration, making this one of the most efficient and impactful LED lighting programs we’ve completed – seamlessly combining strategy, design, and execution.”
This initiative underscores Sunbelt Rentals’ position as a sustainability leader in the equipment rental sector, demonstrating how operational improvements can yield both environmental and financial returns.
“We’re proud to support Sunbelt Rentals on their path to sustainability,” added Jim Dore, vice president of service solutions at Chateau Energy. “This program proves what’s possible when forward-thinking leadership meets our proven expertise in LED lighting solutions and large-scale energy efficiency execution – innovation and execution come together with purpose.”
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.