HAMPTON, N.H. (March 4, 2024) – The South Hampton Public Library has opened a new chapter on energy efficiency after switching to LED lights to reduce its electricity usage while receiving an incentive that helped lower overall project costs.
The library recently completed a lighting retrofit that included upgrading 14 fixtures with T12 fluorescent lamps to LED lights as part of an energy-efficiency project. The lighting improvements are expected to cut the 30-year-old library’s annual energy consumption by approximately 2,925 kilowatt hours.
The project cost $4,650, but the library received an energy-efficiency incentive totaling $1,170 to reduce the total price tag. Unitil was able to provide the incentive through NHSaves, which is a collaboration of New Hampshire’s electric and natural gas utilities working together to provide customers with information, incentives, and support designed to save energy, reduce costs, and protect the environment statewide.
“The South Hampton Public Library is a small building, but when it comes to energy efficiency, making the transition to LED is an important step that should be considered for buildings of all sizes and we’re pleased that the town recognized the benefits of this project,” said Unitil External Affairs Director Alec O’Meara.
Library Director Lori Laverty said many of the patrons have noticed the lighting improvements and have found searching for books and participating in other library activities easier on the eyes.
“Prior to this installation, we had two banks of fluorescent lights and 50% of them were burned out so we were trying to operate in darkness. This has made a huge difference, and it’s also made a huge difference to our patrons because now it’s easier to browse the collections. We can see things better. It’s more inviting and it’s going to save us money, so it’s a win-win,” she said.
The South Hampton Library Trustees hired Morrill Electric of Amesbury, Mass., to perform the light replacement work.
For more information on energy efficiency incentives available through NHSaves, visit https://nhsaves.com/businesses-towns/.
