To resolve these multiple issues, energy efficient fluorescent fixtures, reflectors, lamps and dimmable electronic ballasts were installed. The new lamps have a rated life of 20,000 hours, reducing both maintenance labor and lamp replacement costs. New Jersey's brightness standard has been met and the lights can be dimmed to satisfy the event requirements. One high school's hallways were lit by 153 inefficient fixtures, each containing six fluorescent lamps. Light quality also was low.
Light quality is excellent and the lamps start instantly.
The improvement in the multi-purpose rooms is similar to that in the gyms. Additional energy savings were realized by replacing inefficient exit signs with signs lighted with an array of light emitting diodes. The upgrade also teaches a lesson to students, teachers and staff that the school district can also help protect the environment in general. That's because reducing energy means that power plants don't have to burn as much coal or other fuel to meet the district's fuel needs, which reduces the amount of pollution that would be produced by generating that electricity. The total project in the 18 schools included the installation of 6,300 fixtures and 38,700 fluorescent lamps powered by 2,700 electronic ballasts.