There are two types of rebates – instant and prescriptive.  

• In 2016, Naval Support Activity Annapolis began efforts to promote energy efficiency. This project included multiple Naval facilities around Maryland, including the Academy.

  According to Jabe Nekula, NSAA public works electrical engineer, “This project substantially improved the appearance and light quality at the USNA and North Severn, while cutting energy usage in half and extending normal service intervals by a factor of four.”

  The switch to LEDs is estimated to be saving these facilities about $285,000 per year. It is projected to generate $16.2 million in savings over 25 years, in addition to reduced maintenance costs (USNA).

  LED conversion is a major part of the Department of the Navy’s initiative towards optimizing energy use.

Established in 1845, the Naval Academy is home to 4,500 undergraduates each year. Its sprawling campus covers 338 acres by the beautiful Annapolis harbor. The variety of structures, from athletic fields, to classrooms, to dormitories, call for an array of different lighting fixtures.

We partnered with IAP Worldwide Services to provide lighting solutions, project consultations, materials, and industry training, to this important American institution.

Before partnering with us, the Academy was using a lot of fluorescent bulbs throughout their campus. Fluorescent bulbs replaced incandescent lights, but have recently come under some criticism. The following are some advantages to LED lighting vs. fluorescent fixtures:

• Toxicity – Fluorescent lights contain mercury, which is highly toxic. A broken bulb can release mercury as gas, which is a major hazard. This can be a threat to the maintenance and factory workers who handle them on campus, as well as to dorm residents and students in classrooms. LEDs, however, do not contain toxic materials, and are much safer when it comes to disposal.
• Lifespan – LED bulbs last longer than traditional fixtures. In fact, a new LED can burn for 50,000 to 100,000 hours. Fluorescents, on the other hand, generally last a maximum of 10,000 hours. This is a waste of resources that an institution could be using for other purposes.
• Energy-efficiency – Most organizations want to be able to advertise energy-efficient facilities in keeping with modern trends and environmental concerns. LEDs require very little energy to power. That means a reduction in fossil fuel emissions. They also don’t use infrared radiation, unlike fluorescent lights.
• Size – LEDs can be much smaller than other bulbs. This can really come in handy when you have a variety of installation purposes across a large campus.
• Color – LED bulbs use the entire spectrum of visible light colors. This enables more accurate, clear lighting than traditional bulbs, which require color filters.

Click here for more information on LED technology.

Once we received IAP’s material requisition, we reviewed the list of the Academy’s fluorescent lamps. Our lighting technicians chose appropriate LED replacements for out-of-date, inefficient fluorescents. For example, we have converted over 3,000 fluorescent tubes to TLEDs. Using the following criteria, we were able to identify and install LED solutions across campus:

• Maximum energy savings
• Utility rebate certification
• Premium LED performance

This is an ongoing partnership that we continue to service to this day. We are proud to be able to help this honored institution save energy and resources.

If you are interested in LED technology, call us today to speak with an experienced Maryland lighting technician. We’re here to help you reduce energy costs in addition to your carbon footprint.