Many U.S. Cities Make the Move Towards LED Upgrades
Think LED lights are just for flashlights and lanterns? Think again! Cities all over the country have integrated LED technology into their infrastructure, such as stop lights, cross walks, and street lights.
Despite a higher up-front cost, LEDs have proven to actually save their users money by using less energy than their counterparts. Cities such as Indianapolis, Scranton, Evansville, and Scribner have all made the move towards LED products and city officials are excited about the ecological and economical benefits.
Indianapolis, Indiana recently received over $8 million in grants from the US Department of Energy and is planning on spending at least $1 million on upgrading over 500 traffic lights to energy-efficient LEDs.
“The installation of brighter, energy-efficient traffic signals allows us to become a more sustainable city and enhance motorist safety, while cutting costs at the same time,” said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. “Enhancing public safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods have always been top priorities.”
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the State Department of Transportation is using over $350,000 to install LED traffic lights. The move is an attempt to save money on both energy and maintenance of the lights. The current incandescent lights last only about 18 months.
White Beam Flood Leflector
Evansville, Wisconsin, is also hopping on board the LED train. The city is planning on replacing 250 high-pressure sodium lights LEDs, expecting to save approximately $8,000 year by cutting energy use by 80,000 kW/hrs.
Yes, many U.S. cities are banking on the energy- and money-saving power of LED lights. Shouldn’t you?
