U Southern Maine To Save $70,000 Each Year with Lighting Upgrade
The University of Southern Maine (USM) has begun a lighting upgrade designed to save the school more than $70,000 each year.
Funded in part through a $135,000 grant from Efficiency Maine, the project will reduce the university's annual energy consumption by approximately 676,000 kilowatt-hours through the use of centralized wireless controls and more energy efficient fixtures.
The project, which will include upgrades to the USM Field House, USM Ice Arena, the Hill Gymnasium, and all Gorham campus parking lots and roadways, will also make "the campus brighter and more modern" and "will reduce maintenance and replacement costs," according to information released by the school.
Scheduled for completion this spring, the upgrades are being installed by Leading Edge Design Group and will reduce costs enough to pay for USM's investment in less than three years.
"Our energy efficiency lighting project will have significant impact on our bottom line and also benefit the thousands of students and community members that use our facilities year round," said USM Executive Director of Facilities Management Bob Bertram.
Founded in 1878, USM serves approximately 9,600 students at three campuses and has signed the American Colleges & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. More information about USM's sustainability efforts is available at usm.maine.edu/sustainability.
About the Author
Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].