Within the next year, the city of Chula Vista Public Works Department plans to replace about 4,600 streetlights in neighborhoods throughout the city with an energy efficient lighting system expected to accrue $200,000 in savings annually.
The lighting system, which is called induction lighting, uses about 45 percent less energy compared to the technology being used now. The light bulbs have a life span of 25 years and will provide up to 100,000 hours of operation, according to Gordon Day, who is the city’s building project
manager.
Day said the decision to switch to induction lighting was taken in an effort
to save money and to become more energy efficient.
“We are interested in lowering our carbon foot print and saving more energy,” Day said. “With the current technology we are using 975,573 kilowatts annually, that is a lot of juice.”
He added that once the lights are replaced the community would notice a difference in the lighting level.
“People will notice a definite change in light, it will be more of a white, not as bright but they will be saving energy.”
According to the US Department of Energy Website, “Induction lighting is one of the best kept secrets in energy-efficient lighting.” Since this technology gives “a fluorescent light without electrodes or filament, the items that frequently cause other bulbs to burn out quickly.”
Brennan Reed, who is the environmental resource manager, said the city took out a 10-year loan from the California Energy Commission to fund the $2 million project; the loan has a one percent interest rate since the funds come from federal stimulus money.
“It’s cost neutral, the savings will repay the loan over time,” he said.
