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Williams Celebrates Holidays With Energy-Efficient Lights - November 21, 2007
WILLIAMSTOWN - Williams College wants its commitment to sustainability to be year-round, including the holiday season.
So this year, the college's holiday celebration will include a dramatic decrease in monetary cost and energy consumption, thanks in part to a new tree-lighting initiative by the college's facilities departments.
During the winter holiday season, Williams traditionally lights the tree in front of Thompson Memorial Chapel and another on Spring Street, across from the Log.
By switching from incandescent bulbs, the required power needed to light the two trees will be reduced by 96 percent.
Bea Miles, director of facilities services, worked with the college electricians to identify lighting that was more energy efficient.
Miles said, "In past years, we have purchased residential-grade lighting and we were replacing the lights annually; LED lights do not have a filament that can burn out and take the entire string of bulbs."
Although their warranty is three years, they are being called by some, "lights you can will to your grandchildren." LED lighting used outdoors is expected to last 50,000 hours.
"Last year, we used an amount of electricity equivalent to powering a small building for a year. As an institution committed to reducing our carbon footprint, we could not continue that practice without some dramatic changes," said Irene Addison, associate vice president for facilities and auxiliary services.
The electricity used to light the two trees was costing $1,600. For the first time, by utilizing new LED (light-emitting diode) technology, which use less energy than traditional bulbs, the expense this year is not expected to exceed $100.
Not only will the high-quality, commercial grade LED strings reduce costs, they save electricity. LED lights use less than 10 percent of the electricity consumed by filament bulbs.
"The replacement of our old lights with the LED lights will decrease our emissions by about 2,000 kilograms," said Addison. "For perspective, the switch to LED Christmas lights saves as much
electricity as switching out 130 incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents."
Although Williams purchased commercial grade LED holiday lighting, this technology is also available for residential use at local stores. |
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