How many lawmakers does it take to change a light bulb?
The Los Angeles Times reported that the Federal Government paid $671,900 to a lighting consultant to come up with a system to both reduce the energy currently used to illuminate the capital dome and to celebrate the Capitol’s “unique identity” and “enliven the visual experience” of all those who view it. (Source).
The dome’s exterior currently is lighted by 38 1,000-watt metal halide lamps that were installed 20 years ago. The consultant recommended a retrofit of 128 lighting fixtures with new bulbs ranging from 35 watts to 210 watts providing a 70% reduction in energy use. Technology advances provide for the substantial energy reductions.
While both the energy and cost savings will be substantial, the 6-figure consulting cost is equivalent to the $600 toilet seats and $400 tools that used to dominate the headlines. Regardless of the size of the operation, a qualified lighting partner will provide turnkey services including a low- or no cost audit, professional installation and project management. A qualified lighting partner also provides all post-installation rebate and warranty administration.
Again, according to the LA Times, Jeff Ventura, a spokesman for the House chief administrative officer, said the lighting project had “far less to do with saving money in the short term on our energy bill . . . but has everything to do with setting a bold energy-saving example for the rest of the country.” Overspending on energy savings is not a bold example. Updating lighting with a qualified lighting partner reduces generally reduces power costs by 50% as well as cost-effectively setting a much bolder example than spending hundreds of thousands before saving a single kilowatt.
