|
GSD > State Architect's Office / Office of Procurement Services > Office of Energy Services
The
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)
The
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is nearing completion
of an energy efficient lighting demonstration project at its Borden
Building headquarters in Columbus.
Three
floors occupied by the PUCO were retrofitted with eight various
combinations of new energy efficient lighting technologies, including
electronic ballasts, occupancy sensors (see Tech Focus), reflectors,
and several different types of fluorescent tubes.
The
impacts of the retrofits on electricity usage and light levels were
measured before and after installation. Dan Johnson, project manager
for the PUCO, reported on the preliminary results. "Our best
combination of technologies reduced electricity demand and usage
by about two-thirds while maintaining light levels. Although we
have not reviewed the dollar numbers in detail, I am expecting a
payback in the neighborhood of two years."
The
project yielded valuable knowledge beyond the results about energy
efficiency, according to Johnson. "We learned that you have
to be sensitive to individual needs when undertaking a retrofit
program. People's eyes and visual needs are different - one brightness
does not fit all. If you are going to save money through lighting
energy efficiency, it can be squandered quickly in lost time for
employees who are uncomfortable. The key is to be ready before you
start, to adjust the lighting in those individual situations."
This
project is also a successful example of public/private partnerships.
PUCO continues to lease the space from the building's owner, the
Equitable Life Assurance Company, who in turn contracts the building
management to the Galbreath Company. These three parties divided
project responsibilities accordingly: PUCO initiated and designed
the project, Equitable provided project funding through the lease
agreement, and Galbreath performed the installations.
A
full report, including detailed energy savings and costs, will be
made available to all state agencies and the public later this year.
While this report is being finalized, preliminary results from the
project are already having a positive effect. Certain engineering,
design, and contracting firms who have seen the project are now
incorporating energy efficient lighting into other buildings, based
upon the successful PUCO demonstration.
Additional
Projects:
|
