University News
Western Receives Energy Grant To Upgrade Morgan Hall Lighting
May 18, 2006
MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University received an Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation grant of $59,262 for an energy efficient lighting upgrade in Morgan Hall.
The upgrade in Morgan will consist of retrofitting existing fluorescent lighting fixtures with high efficiency electronic ballasts and lamps that use 35 percent less energy than the original 35-year-old equipment, according to Scott Coker, Physical Plant Mechanical Engineer, who worked with Cochran and Wilken Engineering to apply for the grant.
The project will also include replacing all incandescent light fixtures with energy efficient fluorescent fixtures. The new high efficiency lighting will reduce air conditioning loads in summer as well as electrical demand during high cost periods of peak electrical usage.
Improving environmental sustainability is a priority for the University, and we are pleased that Western has received funds to implement an energy conservation plan based on preliminary energy audits in campus facilities, said Western Vice President for Administrative Services Jackie Thompson.
The completed project in Morgan Hall will result in nearly $12,700 in costs savings per year and will also contribute to a reduction in air-born pollution emissions from power generating plants. Post-retrofit lighting levels will be of equivalent or higher quality than current building lighting levels. Lighting efficiency upgrades are the most common energy management project in older institutional buildings and are usually accomplished with little or no disruption to the occupants or functions in the facility, Coker added.
We are quite proud to receive this second grant from the Foundation, an independent non-profit grant making institution formed to protect and improve the environment in Illinois communities, Coker said.
The University recently completed work from a previous Foundation grant to upgrade the lighting in Stipes Hall. The $83,680 project grant is projected to save nearly $15,000 a year in energy costs due to more efficient lighting in Stipes. Coker said the University will continue seeking energy and environmentally-related grants from the Foundation.
The project for Morgan is expected to start Summer 2006 and be completed by Spring 2007. In addition to the positive environmental and qualitative aspects of modern lighting, the project will have a seven year payback covering installation cost on equipment having a minimum expected economic life of 25 years, according to Coker.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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