New Lighting Could Mean Big Savings, But at What Cost
How many government employees does it take to change a light bulb? Ok, how about hundreds of light bulbs?
That's what's happening at governmental buildings in Grand Traverse County and Traverse City right now.
A viewer had questions about what it costs and who is paying for it. The answers are the subject of tonight's Fact Finder Report.
Grand Traverse County Facilities Director Danny Brown says, "The way the world is today, things are just different. We've got to be real frugal and that's what we're trying to become as frugal as we can in lots of different ways."
One way you might not notice at first, could make a big impact: light bulbs, lots of light bulbs, up to 800 energy efficient light bulbs.
Brown says, "It all boils down to money and energy."
In an effort to save more of both, earlier this year Grand Traverse County and Traverse City teamed up for a Michigan Energy Efficiency Block Grant worth $354,697. Most of the projects on the list are for lighting improvements.
Brown says, "Every little bit helps because certainly we don't have the money on our own but if a grant is out there and if we don't do it someone else will do it in their town."
For the past 6 months crews have been rewiring light fixtures and replacing light bulbs at buildings like the civic center, the courthouse, the governmental center and more than a dozen buildings. While work on this project is just wrapping up, the question remains, is it paying off?
Brown says, "it has to pay off, but it's too soon to give you that number, if that's your next question because that's a real hard one if you come back a year from now I'll tell you exactly how much we saved."
I will be checking on that for you.
While $350,000 sounds like a lot of money, it is a drop in the bucket compared to what the rest of the state is getting.
Michigan was given $96.2 million in stimulus money from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act specifically to help communities become more energy efficient through programs like this. CLICK HERE to see what other communities received. So while Grand Traverse County may not have the money to make these kinds of changes, still it's tax payers who will ultimately pay the bill. Do you think it's a good investment of your money?
Let me know your opinion, leave your thoughts below.
And in case you were wondering, the answer to the question at the beginning of this story is two. Most of the work was done by two electricians on staff for Grand Traverse County, but city did not have a crew to do the work and had to bid out the project to a downstate company.
Here's the breakdown of the energy grant.
County Lighting Improvements
520 W. Front St- $6,050
Civic Center- $10,850
Governmental Center- $14,800
Twin Lakes Dorms and Cabins- $1,425
City Fire Station #1- $750
City Fire Station #2- $3,050
Solar Panel Installation and Boiler Replacement at the Civic Center- $199,000
City Lighting Improvements
Water Treatment Plant, Wastewater Treatment Plant and Public Services Garage- $73,900
Variable Frequency Drive Installation- Wastewater Treatment Plant- $15,750
SEEDS Climate Action Plan- $28,000
