Benefits
“The bottom line on this is that we continue at every opportunity to replace existing lighting with Cree LED fixtures,” Robertson says. “We’re extremely happy with them.”
Robertson was taking a long-term view when he made the decision to go with an LED lighting solution. The student union’s only source of income is student fees, and he says he feels a real obligation to spend that money wisely.
“As much as we can, every year, we invest some of that money in making this building more energy-efficient,” he says. “So we take a little money out of one budget year in order to save big time over the life of the building.
“Meanwhile, we’re reducing our carbon footprint.” Robertson says the university’s energy manager is watching the project with interest, and is aware of how happy the student union staff is with the Cree LED fixtures.
ASU’s efforts at being a good global citizen kick into a higher gear yet with the recent opening of a 58,000-square-foot addition to Plemmons, which Robertson hopes to see earn LEED Gold certification. The addition — which is home to university programs supporting international education, student leadership development, community service, student research and more — includes a number of ecologically sound features, including high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, natural daylight harvesting, hallway flooring made from recycled tires and all wood harvested from certified sustainable forests.
And, of course, energy-efficient LED light fixtures.
“I’ve shown the architects on this job these new troffers,” Robertson says. “They didn’t even know there was an LED troffer on the market, and they love them; they’ve just been blown away by the design. I think they’ll be spreading the word.”
Robertson believes his Cree LED fixtures “exude quality; the quality of light is great.” He also likes the fact that they can be run at 50 percent or 100 percent without having to use dimmers. After some early trial and error, Cree is now Robertson’s sole LED vendor: “We really appreciate the quality.”