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Street lights shine down on Jayhawk Boulevard during an early October morning. The University recently cut its utilities bill by switching to LED light bulbs across campus.
Baxter Schanze/KANSAN
How the University saved $60,000 with light bulbs
HAILEY DIXON
@_hailey_dixon
One small switch to lighting has meant big savings on the campus energy bill.
The University recently saved over $60,000 by switching compact fluorescent and halogen light bulbs to LED bulbs.
The initiative focuses on buildings at the Lawrence campus. According to the June 2016 Energy Office and Center for Sustainability's activities report, lights in the Allen Fieldhouse and Mississippi Street parking garages were all replaced by
LED bulbs in fall 2013. The savings amounted to over $25,000,the report said.The savings jumpstarted other initiatives across campus to save more money.
As of Aug. 9, there are a total of 4,518 LED bulbs installed on campus, according to the report.
"About a year and a half ago, we started looking at the possibility of replacing compact fluorescent and halogen lights with LED," said George Werth, energy program manager. "We went through the inventory of our warehouse. I came up with an analysis for each
type of lamp, how long it will last and how long it will be on an energy basis. We were able to compare the different lamp types."
Leading up to this change, previous contracts with outside corporations were ended to see if work could be done to save energy within University personnel, according to Cassi Reimer, an energy conservation behavior specialist.
"It was worth the investment to create something through KU full-time," Reimer said.
The initiative is as simple as facility services replacing burnt out light
bulbs with LED bulbs.
"Right now the program is basically stocking the LED replacements, and no longer stocking compact fluorescent or halogen lamps," Werth said. "And as lights burn out, these LED ones are being provided as lamps."
The initiative will continue to expand across campus to buildings as bulbs need to be replaced.
"The LED replacement program that we are doing is growing and it's going to be a little slow moving at first," Werth said. "Folks won't see the LED lamps right away, because it's a
transition. We are working diligently so that everything on campus is eventually LED, but it will take some time to do it."
It was worth the investment to create something through KU full-time."
Cassi Reimer Energy conservation behavior specialist
In addition, Reimer said that students and staff can help the University save
more energy by doing simple things like turning off the lights if they are the last to leave the room, or unplugging their charger when not charging a phone. She also said staff are encouraged to report issues such as if a classroom is too hot, or too cold.
"My philosophy, and the energy center really believes that every action matters, and all adds up," she said. "So you know those simple things like turning off a light or turning off your computer really adds up in energy savings."
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