University of Minnesota, Duluth
Tier2-3: LED Lighting

The UMD campus uses LED lighting in both elevators and safety (Exit) signs. In addition, LED light bulbs are also being retrofitted in large lecture halls (Life Sciences, Solon Campus Center) and the Dining Hall on campus.

One example of a success story about an LED retrofit project is available at the URL provided below, and pasted as text here:

In Spring 2011, 37 lighting fixtures in the University of Minnesota Duluth's Residence Dining Center were retrofitted to use LED bulbs. The LED bulbs use over 75% less electricity than the lights that were there before. Although the LED bulbs cost more, they will pay for themselves in electricity savings in less than 3 years. The project was sponsored in part by the MN Schools Cutting Carbon Program, and was a collaboration between the UMD Student Sustainability Coalition, the UMD Residence Dining Center, UMD Facilities Management, and the UMD Office of Sustainability.

In total, roughly twenty 60 watt light bulbs and seventeen 26 watt light bulbs were replaced with LED light bulbs. The twenty 60 watt light bulbs were estimated to have used 4,584 kWh and cost $320.88 per year. The seventeen 26 watt light bulbs were estimated to have used 1,688.44 kWh and cost $118.19 per year. In total, the 37 light bulbs were estimated to use 6,272.44 kWh of electricity and cost $439.07 per year.

The LED light bulbs used for the retrofit were 11 watt light bulbs. They used an estimated 1554.74 kWh and cost $108.83 per year. According to these numbers, there would be a $330.24 savings in electricity costs per year. The LED light bulbs cost $900.00. At this rate, it was estimated that the retrofits would pay for themselves in electricity savings in roughly 2 years and 9 months' time.

It is important to note that the estimated payback time does not take into account labor cost savings. The LED light bulb life expectancy is roughly four times that of the 26 watt light bulbs that were replaced as part of the retrofit. This results in an estimated labor cost savings of $30 over the lifetime of each LED bulb. If labor cost savings were to be factored in, the estimated payback time would be even shorter as a result.

The LED retrofits also reduce UMD's carbon footprint. The previous 37 bulbs generated an estimated 10,360 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, while the LED retrofits generate an estimated 2,560 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. That's a reduction of 7,800 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.