Gateway School District, Monroeville, Pa.
RETROFIT TEAM
LIGHTING INSTALLER: Facilities team, Gateway School District, Monroeville
MATERIALS
In late 2017, the Gateway School District completed an upgrade from fluorescent to LED lighting in five of its schools. The schools were originally equipped with standard electronic ballasts and T8 lamps. To overhaul these lighting sources, district representatives chose Universal Lighting Technologies Inc.’s Tube and Driver Kits, which included 2,100 two-tube; 1,620 three-tube; and 90 four-tube replacements. The replacement tubes and drivers were installed into the existing fixtures similar to a ballast retrofit, which made installation quick and easy. The LED drivers are dimmable to 1 percent, which increases their application flexibility for classrooms and conference rooms.
In schools, proper lighting can optimize learning. LED technology offers controllability, light uniformity and less maintenance, as well as reduces electrical demand and energy consumption compared to conventional lighting systems.
“We chose the Universal EVERLINE Tube and Driver solution because some of our buildings have asbestos in them, so we wanted to put the new tubes in existing fixtures,” says Robert Brown, the district’s director of facilities. “The installation was very easy. Plus, the LED products have made maintenance much easier. With the fluorescents, changing lamps was a daily occurrence. Now we almost never have to do it. My electricians are freed up to do more important work than changing ballasts.”
Brown adds teachers were almost startled by the improvement in the quality of light. “They were used to living in a cave with yellow light,” he says. “The LED light is so much better that many teachers are using the dual-switch system so they only use half the lights. They also take advantage of the dimming capabilities. It’s made a world of difference.”
Despite the upfront costs, Brown estimates the rebates for the LED upgrade totaled nearly $30,000 and lighting bills have been reduced by 9 percent.
LED MANUFACTURER: Universal Douglas
PHOTO: Universal Douglas