NCAPPA 2013 Abstract Submission
Event Date: May 13-14, 2013
Event Location: University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Abstract Title: LED Pilot Results to Support a Custom Incentive Program with Duke Energy and Encourage Greater Use among Institutions of Higher Education.
Author: David Dean (Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools), with support from Deb Lovig (Switch Lighting)
Contact: David Dean, (919) 967-8211 ext. 28106 or
Overview: The Environmental Protection Agency web site states, in comparison to incandescent bulbs, LED lighting uses at least 75% less energy and, because of a lifespan 35 to 50 times longer, reduces maintenance costs. For these reasons, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) set a goal to replace existing incandescent lighting with LED fixtures at 17 system schools. Additionally, the district recognized the need to educate administrator and maintenance staff, not only in Chapel Hill-Carrboro but also throughout K-12 institutions, on the multiple benefits to LED lighting retrofits.
Regardless of the LED pilot results, CHCCS knew budget constraints would prevent a complete rollout of LED to all 17 campuses. Therefore, in a first for the school system, administrators decided to pursue a custom incentive program with Duke Energy. To support adoption of this custom program, CHCCS approached Switch Lighting, an LED manufacturer, about conducting a pilot of their LED technology at a system school. Switch Lighting agreed to provide the support and fixtures needed to launch a pilot program at Frank Porter Graham Elementary School (FPG) in three key areas including the kitchen, outdoor walkways and various indoor locations.
The LED pilot will start in mid-February and end in mid-April, 2013. Throughout the pilot, CHCCS staff will work with Duke Energy employees to ensure the necessary data is being captured to develop a successful custom incentive program. In addition to the resulting energy savings and reduced maintenance costs, CHCCS is interested in how the new lighting will impact student safety and occupant’s understanding of sustainability as a key focus area for the district. This behavior feedback will come from intercept surveys of FPG occupants before, during and after the pilot. The resulting white paper will be a roadmap for other districts to start implementing LED lighting throughout their campuses.
The NCAPPA Conference will be the debut of the pilot results.
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