Georgia Power Converting Street Lights To Warm-Light LED

ROSWELL, GA — Over the next several months, Georgia Power will be systematically converting all of their residential subdivision street lights from the old pink-amber high-pressure sodium bulbs to new downward-facing LED fixtures.

The new fixtures will retain the same traditional lantern-style streetlamp as the original fixtures. The power company is installing only “warm white” LED modules, which have a color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin (K)—the same color tone as warm white household LED bulbs and old incandescent bulbs. These LEDs have very little blue light as compared to LEDs in the 4,500 K to 6,500 K color range used for commercial and security applications.

The old high-pressure sodium bulbs, which are an industrial arc-lamp used mostly in the 1950s through 1980s, are being phased-out because of their poor color rendering, reduced traffic safety, high energy consumption, and potentially toxic metal vapors. Some countries and U.S. jurisdictions have already banned or restricted their use.

In recent years, the City of Roswell has received many complaints regarding the brightness and glare of the old high-pressure sodium bulbs, as well as complaints that it is still too dark on the street. The new LEDs will address both of these concerns. They will emit 25 percent less total light output, but will provide two to three times more directed light on the street right-of-way. More light will be directed onto the ground rather than into the air and, therefore, may appear more intense if you look directly up at the light source (which is not recommended).

The LEDs also provide much more of the color spectrum that can be seen by the human eye as compared to the high-pressure sodium bulbs, so some individuals may need some time to adjust to seeing more colors at night.

Georgia Power has attempted to directionally install the fixtures to minimize light spray onto homes and can provide additional shielding if necessary.

Any resident who has questions or concerns is encouraged to e-mail transportation@roswellgov.com, and city staff will reach out to Georgia Power on the resident’s behalf.