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One easy switch of some lights will help save a lot of money for the City of Madison. The City of Madison Engineering Division GreenPower Program trainees are in the process of switching its fluorescent lights to dimmable light-emitting diode (LED) lights in several City buildings. This change will save the City about one-half the cost of electricity.

The LED is one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies. Quality LED light bulbs last longer, are more durable and offer comparable or better light quality than other types of lighting. LED Lighting uses about 50 percent of the electricity that fluorescent systems use.

The GreenPower Program is a program where applicants with little or no electrical experience are taught how to install solar panels for six months.

So far, GreenPower has been a summer program, but with this transition, City Engineering is excited to share it can go longer for a few more months.

Facilities trainees are replacing lights at the following:

  • 2019: Madison Fire Department Station No. 9: 72 lights
  • 2019: South District Madison Police Department: 92 lights
  • 2020: East District Madison Police Department  
  • 2020: West District Madison Police Department   
  • 2020: Madison Fire Department Station No. 11

The math savings
This change to LED will reduce the amount of energy from 60 watts (fluorescent) to 26 watts (LED), saving 34 watts per light. So the conservative math would be as follows: 34 watts x 12 hours day x 365 days year = 148.920 kWh at $0.14 per kWh = $20 savings per fixture x 164 fixtures = Annual savings $3280.00.

These numbers are estimates, and the City anticipates saving even more.

Contacts


Agency: 
Engineering