When it comes to lighting there are a number of initiatives maintenance and engineering managers can do to reduce costs. For instance managers can make the switch to LED bulbs in the commercial and institutional facility.
An energy-efficient lighting system recently installed in Boston University’s Agganis Arena is expected to reduce the arena’s annual electricity usage by 65 percent, according to an article in The Daily Free Press.
The conversion project, which took place during the summer of 2017, replaced the arena’s metal-halide lamps with LED fixtures and occupancy-based sensors, says Elijah Ercolino, director of building automation services. Building management can now control all of the arena’s lighting using a remote-control system.
“Having the capability to instantly turn lights on and off, with precise dimming means the arena staff can do their job quickly and efficiently,” Ercolino wrote in an email. “This new system also requires less maintenance from our Facilities Management and Planning team.”
The installation was completed by BU’s electric utility provider, Eversource Energy, according to Dennis Carlberg, director of sustainability at BU, and will significantly reduce BU’s annual electricity usage.
Carlberg said he believes BU’s partnership with Eversource is helping to put BU on track to achieve the goals laid out by the university’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce energy consumption 31 percent by 2032, with the eventual goal of net zero emissions by 2040.
“BU has a working partnership with Eversource that makes it easier to complete energy efficiency projects and maximize the incentives received,” Carlberg wrote.
Jeff Pollock, the director of marketing and product management at Eversource, said he estimates that the LED lights will need to be replaced in 10 years. Pollock said the conversion project is beneficial for multiple reasons.
“It’s the right thing to do … from a costs perspective, but BU’s also done the right thing from an environmental perspective as well,” Pollock says.
This Quick Read was submitted by Ryan Berlin, managing editor of Facility Maintenance Decisions.
