Cleveland to replace street lights with LED bulbs

The city of Cleveland, Ohio, recently announced a new initiative to replace its current streetlights with LED bulbs

According to Cleveland.com, Cleveland Public Power (CPP) – a utilities provider owned by the city – will test four different types of lights starting May 1 to determine which one is the most energy-efficient, cost-effective and capable of withstanding the region's harsh winter climate.

The plan was announced by Mayor Frank Jackson in 2011 and will be funded by the city as well as a federal energy conservation initiative for a total of $500,000. Test areas include Lee Road, Pearl Road and Public Square. Since some of the lights will be featured on residential streets, Shelley Shockley, CPP's marketing manager, says that inhabitants of these areas will be encouraged to provide feedback. 

In addition to installing the new lights, which can burn for up to 25 years compared to the four-year lifespan of the current bulbs, CPP will test a number of smart photocells, which are devices that attach  to the fixtures and send out alerts if the lights are in need of repair. This could help the city address power outages much more efficiently, reports the source. 

According to Energy Star, LED bulbs use at least 75 percent less energy than incandescent lighting and last 35 to 50  times longer. With this in mind, many homeowners choose to make this upgrade, since it ultimately saves them money over time. If you're interested in learning about how this and other energy-efficient upgrades can help you switch to a more eco-friendly and cost-effective lifestyle, contact a home inspection contractor. They can perform an energy audit and help you determine where to get started.