Jul 26 2014
City leaders in Vestavia Hills, Ala., report that replacement of outdated lighting with highly efficient illumination at the city’s sports fields, pool and tennis courts is generating a nearly 50 percent decrease in energy usage.
Energy Efficiency Leader Award’" />Shown here at the awards ceremony are (from left): Steve Ammons, council pro-tem for Vestavia Hills, Ala.; George Pierce, city council member for Vestavia Hills, Ala.; Rick Carson, account manager - complex sales for Trane; Alberto C. Zaragoza, Jr., mayor of Vestavia Hills, Ala.; John Henley, city council member for Vestavia Hills, Ala.; Jim Sharp, city council member for Vestavia Hills, Ala.; and Chuck Bowers, area manager for Trane. (Photo: Business Wire)
Leaders anticipate that the more efficient, robust lighting systems could potentially reduce maintenance costs by up to $5,000 a month.
In recognition of the city’s commitment to energy and operational efficiency and sustainability, Trane, a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, presented the city with the “Energy Efficiency Leader Award” on Monday, July 14.
Prior to the upgrades, some of the city’s outdated fixtures were nearly 30 years old. With better concentrated lighting a result of the upgrades, the city has been able to reduce the number of fixtures from 1,400 to more than 700, drastically reducing electricity costs. The city’s limited maintenance staff, previously required to visit each park on a schedule to turn the lights on and off, now uses automated controls on the new lighting system to complete the job remotely, saving manpower and electricity.
According to the city, the lighting, which was provided by Musco Lighting, has improved safety for players and increased visibility for fans, making the city more competitive in its bids for sports tournaments, while helping to increase local revenues. No capital outlay was required for the project so the city has been able to use its limited funds for other needed expenditures.
The city funded the improvements with a performance contract, which allowed the city to use future energy and operational savings to finance the infrastructure improvements up front. Performance contracting is a funding option that provides measurable business results to support strategic objectives.