Aultman Hospital in Canton, Ohio is realizing $13,000 in annual energy savings based on installation of GE Lighting Evolve solid-state lighting (SSL) fixtures in parking lots and garages. Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan tackled an even bigger upgrade with GE Lighting LED products covering 1.25 million ft2 of parking garage along with legacy troffers in entrance and exit corridors.
The Spectrum project covered 3500 parking spaces and used more than 1500 GE Evolve LED Garage Fixtures. The project utilized 60W Evolve fixtures to replace 175W high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights. 50W GE Lumination LED Recessed Troffers replaced 150W HID lights in garage corridors.
The upgrade will save Spectrum $170,000 annually including electricity and maintenance. The project is expected to deliver 67% energy savings equating to 1.6 million kWh. The medical facility expects payback in three years including utility rebates.
Aultman in Ohio
In the Aultman case, the quality of the new lights is equally as important as the savings. "With the old fixtures, you had a blob of light, but then you’d go two parking spaces over and it was dark. That wasn’t there anymore," said Betsy Pooley, director of building services for Aultman. "It was a dramatic difference, from making out the color of a car to reading a license plate with our security cameras."
The hospital also had concerns in that the facility is in a mostly residential area and about the impact on the community. But Pooley said that light pollution hasn't been an issue with the beam control on the LED lights and that the hospital had received no complaints.
In the parking lot, the hospital used 32 Evolve Area Lights to replace 52 HPS fixtures. Despite the fewer fixtures, uniformity and coverage is better. Pooley added, "Our security team stood on top of our building and looked down into the lot -- everything was completely evenly lit, the continuity of light was absolutely incredible."
The initial parking lot project is being followed with an upgrade in the 250,000-ft2
