Benefits
“When you drive up, the improvement is obvious,” Dipple avows. “It's just a better quality of light.”
And the savings are considerable. The university is anticipating savings of $93,000 in maintenance and $104,000 in energy consumption each year for the expected 10-year life of the solution.
That's right at $2 million in total savings.
Referring to those power graphs, Dipple says, “In November 2015, we were using 550 to 600 kilowatt hours per day. In November 2016, we were using around 200 per day.”
“So we're seeing a two-thirds reduction in kilowatt hours, which is significant, and is right at what we had projected.”
Dipple says FAU will also be avoiding the recycling of 9,300 lamps over the course of the project.
“We're expecting payback for the project in just over two years,” he says. “My goal was between three and five years.”
“We also really like the flexibility the sensors give us,” Fitoiu says. “We can keep the lights at 30 percent all the time and the sensors will kick in when somebody walks by.”
“And that primary goal of zero maintenance has thus far been achieved,” he adds. “No servicing; no work orders.”
Dipple points out that, beyond the savings in materials, he's now able to reassign his staff to other tasks. “These savings go to the university, and it allows us to better allocate manpower resources.”
Further, FAU received a rebate from Florida Power & Light, which cited the VG Series as offering energy savings, longevity, durability and more.
“That was pretty cool,” Dipple acknowledges. “The administration felt good about that.”
As a result of the success of this project, he says, FAU is now aiming to replace more than 200 overhead roadway lights with LEDs.
Universities across the country, Dipple notes, are increasingly converting to LEDs. Florida Atlantic University offers compelling proof as to why.
“Our primary goal of zero maintenance has thus far been achieved. No servicing, no work orders.”
Dan Fitoiu | Electrical Maintenance Manager, Florida Atlantic University