As part of its ongoing effort to reduce building energy use, the Better Buildings Alliance’s Lighting Energy Efficiency in Parking (LEEP) campaign has recognized 18 organizations for exceptional performance in improving lighting efficiency in parking garages by an average of 60%.
Together, the 2014 and 2015 LEEP award winners save almost 30 million kWh and $3 million per year through the use of efficient technologies for lighting and controls, with over 140 organizations participating in the campaign to install energy-efficient lighting.
While many of the recognized organizations made the leap to LED light fixtures, others opted to replace high-pressure sodium fixtures with high-efficiency metal halide or fluorescent bulbs, as well as implementing wireless lighting controls to cut energy waste.
Occupancy and ambient light level sensors were popular efficiency improvements among participants, along with applications that allow FMs to manage parking lighting from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Some of the award winners also developed customized lighting control schemes with additional illumination that allowed occupants to feel safer walking to and from their vehicles.
“It might only take one person to change a light bulb, but it took dedicated efforts by the many thoughtful leaders of LEEP award winners to demonstrate how much can be gained through advanced, cost-effective lighting technologies in parking lots and garages,” says David Danielson, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “These innovative solutions also enhance safety and improve working conditions for customers, tenants, and employees.”