Pasadena, California is making some big changes by installing solid state lighting in some of its public places. One mixed-use complex parking structure is replacing their 32-watt T8 fluorescent fixtures with 11.6-watt 4-foot LED tubes. The old fluorescent fixtures gave off an orange-greenish hue, while the new fixtures give off a bright, daylight-looking light. The installation of the LEDs is reducing carbon emissions by 17,723 pounds each year. The project cost the complex $1,096, but will be seeing a payback in only seven months and be saving $1,438 annually on energy costs!

The Pasadena Central Library also received an LED retrofit. The library had not replaced the 900-watt pendant lamps in the main common areas in the library because the fixtures are historic and the library wanted to preserve the historic-feeling. The problem was the old fixtures consumed 900 watts each and provided sub-par lighting. The light would get “buried” in the deep pendant fixtures and what light was left would bounce off reflectors to create ambient lighting for visitors. The library replaced the energy-wasting, dim lamps with LED lamps created by LEDtronics that would fit in place of the metal halide fixtures and allow the library to keep the old lamps. Now, more light from the LEDs shine on the reflectors, creating a brighter environment, including an addition 17-watt LED lamp placed on top of the pendants for even more light. The Pasadena Central Library is saving 788 watts per fixture, equaling thousands of dollars annually. They are also seeing thousands of dollars in savings in maintenance costs because maintenance crews do not have to be hired regularly to replace the high, hard-to-reach lighting.

In 2008, the Pasadena Central Library replaced 90-watt fluorescent fixtures in the downstairs document room with 40-watt LED fixtures, and has no problems or apparent dimming or burn-outs since the installation. Even libraries can benefit from LED lighting!