Los Angeles, California LED Street Lighting Initiative Achieves Goals
Many municipalities across the country (particularly here in the progressive Bay Area) are considering converting their sodium vapor street lights to LED units. However, local officials sometimes balk at the idea of such a transition, because they worry about the upfront investment costs. How will they be amortized? How quickly can a city see a return on investment?
The city of Los Angeles’ recent experience offers a teachable moment. L.A.’s initiative to transform the Southland’s lighting grid proved that LED street lighting makes solid economical sense. Over a four-year period, the city replaced over 140,000 existing streetlight fixtures with LED units.
Although the LED lights cost $185 more per fixture than the traditional lights, the city exceeded its initial program goals for energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction. They experienced:
- Big savings in maintenance costs, since the bulbs of the old light fixtures needed to be replaced every four years.
- Energy usage reduction of 63.1 percent, which saved the city money.
- Carbon emissions reduction of 47,583 metric tons a year, which is good for the environment and the residents of the city.
- Cost savings that will allow L.A. to pay off the loan taken to convert to LED street lights in seven years without adversely impacting the city’s General Fund.
- Community support from many local civic groups and organizations, including the Los Angeles Police Department.
- Recognition from The Dark Skies Association, which found that the program has reduced light pollution in the Los Angeles area.
LED lighting in California may become law for new subdivisions as some cities are considering ordinances that require the efficient technology to be installed in place of older, less efficient lighting solutions. Whether it is required or not numerous others are ready to follow Los Angeles’ example and switch to a better long term LED lighting option.
Consulting for LED Lighting Installation in California and Nevada
Great Basin Lighting has helped neighborhoods and municipalities convert from relatively inefficient sodium and mercury lights to more powerful and efficient decorative LED street lighting that complements communities. Contact Great Basin Lighting from our website or call (925) 240‑1566 (California) or (775) 333‑0900 (Nevada) to find out about how our work can help improve your community by helping you transition to the future of outdoor lighting.
