Electricity Conservation
Occupancy Lighting
One of the most ignored energy conservation devices is the light switch. According to the Green Seal’s report, lighting accounts for 30 to 50% of a building’s energy use, or about 17% of the total annual U.S. electricity consumption. The University’s electricians continue to advance conservation efforts on campus by installing occupancy light switches in classrooms, offices and restrooms. The switches’ sensory devices interrupt the energy circuit, turning the lights off after 15 consecutive minutes without detecting movement or body heat. The use of occupancy lights is proven to reduce energy waste and is an environmentally sound practice. Facilities Management continues to plan and design for the installation of occupancy light switches in campus locations.
Source: Green Seal’s Choose Green Report
A.J. Palumbo Center’s Auxiliary Gym Lighting
By replacing metal halide lights with T5, locally produced gym lighting, made significant environmental contributions. The new lighting provides the following advantages:
• 55% energy reduction
• 60% longer lamp life
• Eco-friendly, low mercury lamps
• Act 129 Rebate Eligibility
• Higher color rendering; colors appear bright and true
LED and Energy Efficient Lighting Upgrades
• 375 energy-saving light fixtures were installed at the Forbes Garage. This will cut energy usage by 50% and provide better illumination.
• 700 energy-saving light fixtures will be installed at the Locust Garage.
• LED lighting is continuing to be installed throughout campus as part of the University lighting retrofit plan.
Because of these upgrades, the University received $14,000 in rebates from the Duquesne Light Watt Choices Program. These funds will cover additional lighting replacement fixtures. Replacing incandescent lights with CFL (compact flourescent lamp) and LED (light emitting diode) bulbs are implemented by the University to conserve energy while improving efficiency. CFL and LED bulbs are not made of filaments. CFL bulbs reduce total output wattage by 1/4 the equivalent of an incandescent lamp thus saving energy. LED bulbs solid-state design renders them impervious to shock, vibration, frequent switching and environmental extremes. With an average lifespan of more than 50,000 hours (5.7-plus years), LED bulbs operate more than 20 times longer than the equivalent incandescent bulbs. LED lamps produce very little heat and use up to 90% less operating power than equivalent filament-based bulbs, making them friendly to the environment and fiscally responsible.