Mackenzie CriggerSwapping out dated bulbs for energy-efficient LED bulbs? It’s a bright idea, according to the Office of Sustainability. Starting the week of Mar. 2, 15 buildings across campus will undergo an LED installation. This seemingly simple change will reduce the campus greenhouse gas footprint by a whopping 1,864 metric tons of CO2 — that’s enough energy to power 215 homes for a year!
There’s additional advantages to switching to LEDs — the swap will save Chapman $200,000 a year. These energy-saving bulbs last about 5 years whereas a typical light bulb will only last 18 months. Shifting to LEDs frees up the University’s technical staff to spend time on more critical projects, instead of changing light bulbs. A rebate program through Southern California Edison, Chapman’s utility company, made switching to LEDs a smart decision financially.
The University has slowly transitioned to LEDs; most recently, Residence Life made the swap. Now, other buildings that were on-schedule for a re-lamp will make the change.
“The money we save that can be spent in on other energy efficiency projects that help make the university operate more sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint,” says Mackenzie Crigger, sustainability manager with facilities management.
If you’re not in one of the buildings scheduled for re-lamping, there’s still things you can do to make your workspace energy-efficient. Crigger recommends using task or natural lighting, even if your office does have LEDs. Set your thermostate to 78 degrees for cooling and 68 degrees for heating. These temperatures are the OSHA standard and help reduce energy consumption while prolonging the life of the University’s mechanical equipment. Go the extra mile and take the stairs over the elevator, walk or bike to campus and choose more plant-based meal options.
LED Installation Schedule
- Mar. 1–9: Argyros Forum, Beckman Hall, Leatherby Libraries
- Mar. 9–16: Becket Building, Irvine Lecture Hall, Hashinger Science Center
- Mar. 16–31: Moulton Hall, Wilkinson Hall, Lastinger Athletics, Hutton Sports Center, DeMille Hall
- Apr. 1–15: Marion Knotts Studios, DMAC, ETC, Doti Hall, Partridge Dance Studio
Because the installation will occur between the hours of 5 p.m. and midnight, most space will not be impacted during normal working hours. Make sure to secure any items that are sensitive in nature prior to leaving your office during the installation schedule.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact Mackenzie Crigger at crigger@chapman.edu.
