Profiles in lighting upgrades

Without a doubt, lighting upgrades involving energy-efficient lamps, ballasts, controls, etc. stand as some of the most attractive investments around. This final installment within a special 2007 series offers examples of how real-life commercial, institutional, and industrial properties have successfully pursued and benefited from lighting upgrades. Home to over 600 students and situated across 74 acres in southwest Chicago, Saint Xavier University recently undertook a lighting upgrade within the campus' main, 100,000 s/f Ward Academic Center. Constructed in the 1950s, the building's outmoded lighting system comprised of T12 fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts was consuming excessive amounts of energy and resulting in ongoing maintenance issues which were tedious and problematic for the campus' small, in-house maintenance team. Following conversion to a more energy-efficient system involving 30-watt fluorescent lamps driven by electronic ballasts, Saint Xavier is enjoying a significant 30-40% reduction in their lighting costs relative to the previous system. In addition, the aesthetic results of the upgrade have been very apparent to both the students and faculty. "The lighting now appears visibly brighter and more standardized throughout the Ward Academic Center," said, SXU assistant director of Administrative Services Bob Anderson. "As a function of the new system, we've achieved higher light output with fewer lights and have positively elevated the look and feel of the entire facility." Susan Bloom is director of corporate communications, for Philips Lighting & Advance, Somerset, N.J.