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Streetlight Retrofit Project Update July 2018

Frequently Asked Questions Answered
Posted on: July 5, 2018 - 10:16am
Town of Erving

ENERGY EFFICIENCY STREETLIGHT UPGRADE PROJECT COMMENCES IN ERVING

The Town of Erving recently launched a town-wide streetlight conversion to light emitting diode (LED) project, which will upgrade 220 streetlights throughout the Town to energy efficient fixtures.

The project was awarded to Tanko Lighting of San Francisco, CA and commenced in August 2017, with an initial audit phase that identified the precise locations and characteristics of the Town’s existing streetlights. LED installation is expected to be completed by end of September 2018.

Not only will the project reduce the Town’s energy use, but it will also improve the color and quality of light throughout the Town, in addition to providing annual energy cost savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What kind of street lights does Erving currently use?

The street lights currently used in Erving are High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights.While HPS is one of the most common street light technologies across the country, it has several drawbacks.HPS street lights are not very energy efficient, cast an orange light under which it is difficult to see color, and tend to produce light that is not of optimal viewing quality.

  • What are LED street lights?

Light Emitting Diodes (LED) are a technology that has been used in solid state lighting for decades.  More recently, LED technology has advanced to street light applications. LED street lights are extremely energy efficient, have long life spans, and produce a better color and quality of light than typical High Pressure Sodium (HPS) street lights.

  • What color of light are LED street light fixtures?

Contrary to the orange light that High Pressure Sodium (HPS) fixtures produce, LED street light fixtures are a cooler, white light under which it is easier to see true colors.  HPS lights have a color temperature of 2,200 Kelvin while Erving’s new LED lights will have a color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin.

  • Why do the new LED fixtures appear to be dimmer?

Although the new LED fixtures produce a different looking light than the HPS fixtures they replaced, they are not actually dimmer.  HPS fixtures tend to produce a bright spot directly underneath the fixture, whereas LEDs create a more even pool of light across the ground or roadway.

  • Why is Erving doing an LED street light conversion project?

Erving is interested in reducing its energy consumption and maintenance costs associated with street lighting.  Installing LED street light fixtures will save energy, require less maintenance, and will provide citizens with better light quality on streets and roadways.            

  • How many street lights is Erving replacing with the LED street light conversion project?

This project will replace 220 street lights throughout Erving, most of which are standard street lights (called “cobra heads”).

  • How long will the project last?

The installation is scheduled to begin in July 2018 and will run through September 2018.

  • What are the benefits of the LED street light fixture project?

The benefits of this project in Erving include: 

  • Reduced energy consumption resulting in energy cost savings and decreased greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Reduced maintenance costs.
  • Better visible light for Erving’s citizens
  • What is Erving doing with all of the street lights it is removing?

The existing High Pressure Sodium (HPS) street lights will be recycled in accordance with all federal and state environmental guidelines.

  • Who is the contact for additional questions about the LED street light conversion project?

For more information about the LED Street Light Conversion project, please contact Bryan Smith, Administrative Coordinator, at admin.bryan.smith@erving-ma.org.