LED Street Lighting Could Save the City Energy

The fixtures had not previously been economical, but manufacturers have made major changes and improvements the past couple of years, according to Jim Krieg, Cedar Falls Utilities general manager.

On Monday, the City Council was updated on potentially converting the city’s system of approximately 3,088 high-pressure sodium street lights. Krieg expects to provide an economic analysis within the next month to outline the estimated annual cost savings.

LED fixtures have significantly dropped in price, from $600 three years ago to $400 two years ago. Last week, CFU received a quote for $250. While the initial cost for an LED remains higher than the $65 for a convential high-pressure sodium light, cost reductions, appreciable savings in energy and maintenance and an increased life expectancy make LEDs appear to be the better deal, Krieg said.

“We believe LED is now the light source of the future,” he wrote in a recent email.

LED street lights are touted for their long life, directional light, uniform brightness and illumination, as well as being environmentally friendly because they contain no mercury or lead which means no hazardous materials in local landfills.

Each LED consumes 60 percent less energy than the HPS and reduces mercury, carbon dioxide and other gases. They have less light trespass, or obtrusive light, with more directional capability for locating the light on the roadway.

The parking lot of the new public works complex in the industrial park uses LED bulbs, though they are different fixtures that are closer to the ground, said public works director Bruce Sorensen.

City administrative services director Richard McAlister told the council to consider the number of lights to initially purchase. Replacing the entire system will result in a large front-end capital cost, as opposed to changing out lights as they fail.

“You can’t recover that money until you’ve recovered it in the lower energy cost, so it will take a number of years,” he said.

Krieg recommended requiring developers, who pay for initial streetlight installation, to install LEDs.

“That would be an additional developmental cost,” McAlister said. “There might be concerns expressed by developers, but at some stage we’re going to have to change our policies to require LEDs as opposed to (HPS).”

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