Our energy conscious city, Ann Arbor, just got a big nod from the national net on ElectricTV.net! ElectricTV is a joint production of the National Electrical Contractors Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. This web TV program reports on the latest and greatest developments in the electrical construction and information systems industries.

Ann Arbor recently embarked on a journey to reduce power consumption – saving the environment and its pocketbook. They employed the latest in LED technology to light the streets and reduce consumption across the board. Every year precious taxpayer dollars are spent to upkeep community services such as street lighting. Ann Arbor was spending about $1.4 million a year to keep the city streets illuminated. After the initial installation of 1,000 LED street lamps, the City decreased energy use from 120 watts per fixture to just 56 watts per fixture. A savings of more than half on their energy bills! Eventually all 6,600 street lamps will be replaced resulting in a yearly savings of about $700,000 which will enable the city to pay for the replacement program in only four years. Not only that, but the new LED bulbs last 10 years as opposed to a two year life span on the previous bulbs – this also decreases costly labor.

For every three fixtures replaced, carbon emissions are reduced by the same amount as taking a car off the road for a whole year!

Four years ago, the City of Ann Arbor was charged with slashing their city budget by 60% – despite the decrease they have found success with some “out of the box” thinking. You can be very proud of our “green” city! Take a look: Ann Arbor LED Project on ElectricTV.net

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