University Facilities and Energy Management officials are evaluating the viability of switching to Light-Emitting Diode fixtures for outdoor walkways and parking structures.
Utilities and Engineering Administrative Officer Wade Fulghum said the Department of Energy Management is recommending the use of this kind of lighting because LED lights are produced using few environmentally toxic elements and have a lower general maintenance cost.
“We have tried to bring this issue to the forefront and get the right people at the University interested,” Fulghum said. “LED lighting is a good system for reducing pollution and energy consumption, so we want to see if they are a viable option for the University.”
Fulghum said his office has come across a few problems when testing LED bulbs because it would take years to discover if they in fact last as long as manufacturers report them to last.
“Because of the proposed longevity of LED lighting, the lights haven’t actually been around long enough to verify claims on lifecycle,” Fulghum said.
Facilities Planning and Design Project Manager Don Ferree said his department is currently considering the possibility of putting LED lights in some outdoor parking structures.
“We are evaluating the use of LED light fixtures in the Dan Allen parking deck,” Ferree said. “Transportation has expressed an interest in using these fixtures.”
Fulghum said resistance to installing LED lights stems from the higher initial cost on installation.
“There is a higher capital cost, but you have to balance that with overall lifecycle and maintenance costs,” Fulghum said. “A normal [High Intensity Discharge] bulb lasts for two to three years whereas an LED light can last for six to seven years.”
Ferree expressed similar sentiments, commenting that the money saved from decreased energy consumption would also help make up for the installation cost.
“LED fixtures use about half the amount of energy as standard HID or High Intensity Discharge fixtures; the high pressure sodium is what have predominantly on campus,” Ferree said. “These savings on maintenance help to offset the initial cost of installing the fixtures.”
Ferree said the Facilities Department will soon test LED lights near Gardner Hall, but there won’t be any in the parking facilities until later in the year.
“They are starting to test the installation on the Gardner walkway,” Ferree said. “The parking deck project would take place next summer if it goes through.”
Jacob Freeman, a sophomore in electrical engineering, said installing LED lights would be beneficial to the campus and he would like to see a more widespread use of these fixtures around the University.
“LED lights will last longer and be more environmentally safe,” Freeman said. “They would work well all over campus, especially in classrooms.”
Fulghum said for now, his department will continue to test LED fixtures’ efficiency and report their findings to University officials.
“We have tried to bring this issue to the forefront and get the right people at the University interested,” Fulghum said. “LED lighting is a good system for reducing pollution and energy consumption so we want to see if they are a viable option for the University.”
