Township Installs Hundredth LED Streetlight
The use of the eco-friendly technology will save money in energy expenses and maintenance costs.
Warminster's environmental future became a little brighter recently.
The Board of Supervisors highlighted the installation of the township's 100th LED streetlight during Thursday night's meeting. This marks a milestone for a project that began in 2009 and continues to reduce energy and maintenance costs.
"There's actually 102 LED lights in Warminster right now," said Walt Bloom, director of sales for JKB Services, which performed the installations. "That gives the township the most LED streetlights in Bucks County."
With the help of Pete Carter and his team at the Warminster Public Works department, all of the streetlights on York Road, between Street and County Line Roads, have been transferred to LED. Bloom also said many of the lights on Street Road are now LED, and there are about 100 left in the township that still need to be switched.
According to numbers given to Bloom by PECO, the installed LED lights has saved the township approximately $730 per month. The new lights use about 15 percent of the energy traditional bulbs use, Bloom said.
The public works department also estimates savings of just under $12,000 on maintenance costs. Not only do the bulbs last longer than the older models, but they are also more resistant to vandalism.
"They are protected by a hard plastic shell, not glass," said Bloom. "A rock or even a BB gun wouldn't be able to damage it."
Unlike the traditional models that have one single source of light, the cobra design of the LEDs has multiple chips giving off illumination. Even if a vandal managed to pierce the shell and break one of the bulbs, the streetlight would still be operational.
The push for more efficient streetlights began about seven years ago, according to Board of Supervisors Chairperson Leo Quinn. The township had switched over to LED traffic lights, and Warminster administrators were told by PennDOT representatives that the savings from the new lights would be enought to pay the salaries of the supervisors in perpetuity.
Making the switch was not as simple as changing a light bulb, however. The housing fixtures atop the poles also had to be replaced with the proper hardwware to accommodate the LEDs.
"Warminster was the first one in the county to really take a look at this technology," said Bloom. "Warwick has a lot and Lower Southampton just started accepting bids for a complete, township-wide transition. But Warminster has really taken the lead."
KevinF
10:38 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
I didn't know Warminster had 100 street lights. My neighborhood is pitch black after the sun goes down...
Pete Krenshaw
11:13 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Just think how many lights it would take to light up all the residential streets in addition to the main roads currently lit (York, Countyline and Street Roads are all lit).
whatever
11:29 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
My street is pitch black too. Where do my taxes go - moving a monument from one spot to another.
Peter C
2:17 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
Actually the people who have street lights in their developments pay for them on top of their taxes, they are "street Lighting Districts" and they pay for maintenance & electrical costs. Your taxes go for many things but as far as street lights next time you drive down Street Rd, York Rd or county Line Rd to name a few look up their there
Peter C
2:23 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
Also just so you know Warminster has over 450+ street lights and the majority of the ones replaced have been on the main roads where everyones taxes are affected.
J.L.
9:42 am on Saturday, July 21, 2012
Pete C. You seem to have some knowledge on this topic. So maybe you can fill us in on the information not reported. How much does JKB services get paid to install each LED light? Was the install fee factored into the mentioned savings? Why wasn’t this service preformed in-house by township employees? Was any thought given to removing street lights due to light from alternate source (new buildings/parking lots etc) making the cobra fixture not needed? Reduce the amount of fixtures and you reduce the PECO energy and tap fees.
P.C.
12:28 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
J.L. I do have some knowledge of the topic.... JKB is only the supplier of the Street Lights themselves. Warminster Township Public Works has two guys that handle all of the traffic related duties i.e. all traffic lights, street lights, pavement markings and street signage. Anyway they are the ones who have installed all of the lights so there was no other fees from JKB. they always are looking for ways to reduce costs for the residents as they are also residents themselves. Most of the lighting that is on the State Highways are there to limit the Townships liabilities, while providing safety and security at the same time. I hope that clears that up a little
CyD252
7:40 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Just a piece of trivia...
There's one drawback to the LED traffic lights. Of course, they use far less electricity (saving money), and the bulbs themselves need to be changed far less often (saving more money). However, when it snows, the bulbs in conventional traffic lights heat up the area around the bulb. Not much - but usually enough to keep snow from accumulating, obscuring the illuminated portion of the traffic light.
The LED bulbs are famous for not wasting heat - so during heavy snowfalls, snow may have to be brushed off periodically. Still worth the price - but I just found this interesting.
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And on the note of installing street lights in residential neighborhoods, I'm 100% against it. My street is dark, and I get annoyed when homeowners have excessively bright lights on their porch and lawns. I enjoy going on nighttime walks, and part of the experience is being able to look up and see stars - instead of bright streetlights surrounded by clouds of insects.
P.C.
12:30 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
CyD252, The newer LED lights do give off a little more heat towards the lenses than the older ones but you are correct. The thing that save them from getting covered most of the time is the lens covers that are on the lights. Also they do have heater elements that can be installed in colder climates to help avoid that issue.