Schools are yet another important place for the growth and installation of LED lighting. Most elementary, junior high, and high schools have to be lit at least eight hours per day for students and teachers in class, not including the time spent by teachers before and after school preparing for class, and janitors after hours cleaning the campus. Also, with all the cuts to many states’ education budgets, having the most energy efficient lighting can allow the school district to spend their money elsewhere!

The first school to be lit entirely with LEDs is Thomas Jefferson Primary School in Peoria, Illinois. The school replaced T12 fluorescent fixtures around the campus with T8 LED dimmable troffers. The LEDs will reduce energy by 49% and eliminate 1.76 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over 10 years. Dave Ryon, District #150’s Director of Capital Programs said the LEDs will reduce the costs of operating the school, provide superior lighting for the students, and teach the students the importance of sustainability.

A school district in Bethany, Oklahoma, is finding another use for LED lighting. The school district is installing 52 solar LED flashing beacons in the city’s school zones paired with school zone signs to alert drivers they are approaching a school zone. The city has been having safety problems around school areas with roads from the school to residential areas. The drivers sped down the roads and there were no signs warning drivers to slow down. According to a press release by Carmanah, “Studies have shown that flashing beacons increase visibility of marked signage and reduce vehicle speeds by up to 5 to 7 miles per hour.” The beacons were also easy to install and didn’t disrupt traffic or the students. We hope to see more creative LED installations in the schools!