How Long Will It Take D-15 To Change 52,902 Light Bulbs?

How long will it take District 15 to change 52,902 florescent light bulbs and 16,424 fixtures?

Hopefully less than two years. If not the district might have to resort to candlelight.

"The t12 bulbs will no longer be manufactured," said Craig Phillips, who handles Environmental Services for District 15. "The federal government has mandated that t12 tubes be discontinued."

Phillips said that the t12 lamps are to be eliminated by June 2012 and replaced with more efficient lighting. The ban extends internationally as well. The district plans to replace the t12 bulbs and the ballasts with more efficient versions.

Phillips said the school district has been changing some light ballasts and bulbs as part of routine maintenance. However, the district now plans a more coordinated effort and is seeking a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

The cost of replacing the fixtures would be about $862,596. An energy grant from the DCEO would cover $581,922, leaving District 15's portion at about $280,000.

However, Phillips said the new bulbs and fixtures will more than cover the village's portion of the expenditure.

The existing fixture wattage for District 15 is about 2 million. The new fixture wattage will be about 1.163 million, for a wattage saving of 846,432. This equates to annual energy savings for the district of about $237,000.

"With the energy savings the payback really isn't that long," school board member Tim Millar said.

If the district does not receive the grant the project likely would wait until the next grant cycle.