Switch to LED Streetlights Saved St. Charles $13,000 Last Year

ST. CHARLES, IL — Last year, the city of St. Charles launched a program to replace streetlights with more energy-efficient LED lights and completed more than 300 retrofits in various areas of the city. After the first year of the program, the city saved an estimated $12,000 on its energy bill. The city is continuing the program this year and expects to replace another 400 streetlights, according to a news release from the city of St. Charles.

Following the success of the program last year, the St. Charles Electric Utility applied for an Energy Efficiency Grant from the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA), the city’s wholesale power supplier. IMEA awarded the city $33,762, which has allowed the program to expand for this year, according to the news release.

The city owns and maintains over 3,300 streetlights throughout the city. Retrofits are expected to continue over the coming years, authorities said.

St. Charles Electric Services Manager Thomas Bruhl says the LED replacement program supports the city's goals in a number of ways.

“First, the LED fixtures provide better visibility for pedestrians and motorists," according to city officials. "The new lights also fulfill our sustainability mission as they typically use just 40 percent of the energy that the old high-pressure sodium lights consume. Also, because the LED lights have a longer lifespan, we will realize reduced maintenance costs.”

Benefits of LED Streetlight Replacements

• Consistent quality and evenly distributed light allows a clearer view of the road and pedestrians in or near the roadway
• 10-year lifetime warranty
• Approximately 50 percent lower energy costs decrease in annual expenses for streetlight maintenance