The Merage JCC in Irvine, California is saving $70,000 a year. Not from solar, not from an electrified HVAC — from swapping out light bulbs.
Lighting is the least glamorous project on any facilities list, which is exactly why so many buildings still have fluorescent tubes humming away. An LED (Light Emitting Diode) retrofit is as simple as an electrician replacing lighting fixtures over a few days, usually between programs. No construction, no programmatic disruptions, no lengthy capital campaign.
The savings are immediate and permanent. LEDs draw roughly a fifth of the electricity of conventional fixtures and last years longer, which also removes the regular, frequent cost and hassle of changing bulbs in the high ceilings of sanctuaries, social halls, and gymnasiums. Most projects pay back in one to three years and then keep returning money to the operating budget indefinitely. The light itself is better, too — often dimmable, programmable, and more inviting.
The Merage JCC in Irvine, CAAs CEO Scott Braswell put it: “The funds from Adamah have allowed us to dream bigger. We initially planned a gradual LED upgrade but quickly realized the energy and cost savings were too great to delay. The new LEDs not only look professional but also provide significant savings.”
Their experience is a common one as many organizations plan to phase the work over several years but then run the numbers and decide to do it all at once.
The simplest way to get started: call your utility and ask them to recommend lighting contractors who can perform a lighting or energy audit. Most utilities keep a list of approved vendors, and many will subsidize or fully cover the audit itself. Get two bids, not one — pricing and audit scopes can vary more than you’d expect. The audit will tell you which fixtures qualify for incentives and what your actual payback looks like, and it can cost you almost nothing to find out.
Questions? Email Greg at greg.altman@adamah.org — he’d be happy to talk through your building’s lighting project.
To Learn More:
- Research state incentives: DSIRE: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (Search by zip code; filter by Technology, Energy Efficiency, Lighting)
- ENERGY STAR for Congregations | ENERGY STAR
- The “Energy Treasure Map” has guidance on assessing your lighting: Energy and Water Efficiency Checklist for Worship Facilities
- Energy Efficiency Resource Guide
- Adamah’s Climate Action Fund
Learn More About Funding Opportunities for LEDs:
