As part of an ongoing initiative to save energy and reduce costs, the Fox Valley Park District recently completed lighting upgrades at its three largest indoor facilities.
Light systems at the Eola, Prisco and Vaughan Centers were retrofitted with highly energy-efficient, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). The new lights will save 65 kilowatts per hour which will help offset continually rising electricity costs.
“This is another one of our green initiatives,” said Executive Director Steve Messerli. “Going green is not only environmentally responsible, but it saves tax dollars and reduces our carbon footprint as a district.”
Energy-saving features of the new systems include a light measurement meter that automatically turns lights off based upon the amount of natural daylight present. Also, individual, programmable switches allow lights to be timed or turned off for areas not being used.
In implementing the upgrades, the District is making use of an $80,000 grant that was awarded last year after an energy audit deemed the facilities eligible for an Illinois Clean Air Grant.
Other District facilities that will be retrofitted with energy-efficient lighting include Red Oak Nature Center, Copley II Park, Orchard Valley Golf Course, Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center, Oakhurst Maintenance Facility and the District’s police station.
The District also has taken an energy-efficient approach to its outdoor lighting systems with upgrades at Greene Field Park, Stuart Sports Complex and the Washington Park tennis courts. The new, state-of-the-art Musco systems produce concentrated beams of light that provide focused brightness while greatly reducing wasted spillover and “light pollution.”
The District’s goal is to reduce energy consumption by 10 percent over the next year.
“Simply turning off lights that aren’t being used can make a big difference,” said Bill Donnell, director of parks and recreation. “There is great potential to reduce energy use by everybody getting involved in energy conservation.”