DUBUQUE, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2003--Sixth grade students in Lynn Krocheski's TAG (talented and gifted) class in Dubuque, Iowa, used a special GE energy auditor online tool called GELA to learn a valuable lesson.
By replacing existing T12 fluorescent lamps and ballasts with the newly introduced GE F28T8 fluorescent lamps with UltraMax(TM) Ballasts, their school could save more than $2,600 per year in energy costs. The kids did the math, and the lamps and ballasts were replaced.
The unique science program was sponsored by Crescent Electric Supply, who donated 1,000 of the new GE lamps to complete the project. GE Lighting supplied the UltraMax Ballasts and the GELA audit program is available free, online, to teachers and schools across the country.
The easy-to-use GELA audit program allows students to use their computers to survey all the existing lighting in their school, room by room. The audit tool then reports three results: 1.) How much lighting energy the school is using; 2.) Are more efficient lamps available; 3.) How much energy could the school save with more efficient lighting.
The Hoover School project was also a perfect opportunity to introduce two important new GE products, according to Michael Petras, General Manager of GE Commercial and Industrial Lighting.
Simply stated, the GE UltraMax System uses less energy than any other fluorescent lamp and ballast combination available, he explained.
According to the student audit, the school had 490 fixtures and they could reduce the wattage from 74 to 44 watts per fixture. That's an overall reduction of 14,700 watts in the Hoover school ceilings.
The students assumed 3,000 hours per year at $.06/kWh for a total savings of $5.40 per fixture or $2,646 in energy savings per year. Students at Hoover Elementary will also benefit from much better light and color in the classroom. The new lamps have a CRI (color rendering index) of 82 compared to the existing CRI of 60.
Initial light levels will also be much improved with a significant improvement in lumen depreciation over the life of the lamps. James Brimmer, Assistant Manager of Buildings and Grounds, measured an average classroom light level of between 45-50 foot candles before the relamping.
Average classroom light levels between 55-60 foot candles were measured after the F28T8 UltraMax system was installed. The new lamps have a maintained lumen output rating of 4,000 lumens over the life of the lamp which also help's keep Hoover classrooms brighter.
Crescent Electric, headquartered in nearby East Dubuque, Illinois, was enthusiastic to be a part of the project, according to Richard Schmid, Vice President of Marketing. This is a project that teaches kids about energy, greatly improves the light in their classrooms and will save the school approximately $15,000 over the life of the new lamps.
We were proud to be a part of the program and we hope to see other schools use the same tools and advanced technology to improve their schools' lighting and overall energy efficiency.
Along with the GELA auditor, GE Lighting has also produced a lighting and energy online curriculum designed to help teach the history, math, science and technology of lighting. Teacher Lynn Krocheski especially liked the way the teaching modules complemented our existing science and energy teaching modules.
It was very hands-on and the students really enjoyed seeing how big the energy savings could be. Part of the class discussion centered on what the school could do with the money saved.
New air conditioning was one of the most popular answers, according to school Principal Steve Geisert. In fact we have a number of summer school programs and I was interested to see the significant heat reduction also provided by the new UltraMax System.
Bob White, Manager of Buildings and Grounds for Dubuque Community Schools was most impressed by the improved color rendering and higher light output of the new lighting installation.
We're in the process of a major school upgrade in our district. Improving classroom lighting, with this kind of an energy payback, should become part of every project we complete, he commented.
For more information regarding GE Lighting's GELA audit program, or other products available through GE, please contact your local GE supplier; visit the company's Web Site at www.GELighting.com or call 1-800-GE-LAMPS.
GE Consumer Products (GECP) is an $8.5 billion business unit, providing products and services in the major appliance and lighting industries, manufacturing and selling more than 15 million appliances and 4 billion lamp products annually in over 150 world markets.
A leader in lamp technology, manufacturing and marketing in the global lighting industry, the lighting division of GECP has operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
For more information about lighting products, visit the company's web site at www.GELighting.com
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CONTACT: GE Consumer Products
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