Sizer School, a North Central Charter Essential School in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, just got a lot brighter thanks to 880 new LED light fixtures installed in partnership with Unitil.
“Even though the school was completed in 2015, it was eligible for a comprehensive lighting upgrade that will save the school over one million kWh of electricity over the lifetime of the fixtures,” said Bill Clabaugh, facilities director for Sizer School.
When the school was built, fluorescent lighting was used due to cost constraints. However, as lighting technology has improved and become more affordable, an LED solution became possible for the school.
"It is amazing to see how rapidly energy efficiency options continue to change and improve. What may have been difficult just a few years ago is now attainable for many homes and businesses. It’s great to be able to share these opportunities with our customers."
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The total project cost is $95,139, and with an energy efficiency rebate from Unitil of $66,597, the net cost to the school is $28,251. By saving approximately 85,000 kWh of electricity annually, the school expects to recoup their investment after a little more than two years. Over the lifetime of the fixtures, estimated at about 13 years, the school estimates it will save 1,105,845 kWh of electricity, the equivalent of what 153 homes would use for electricity for an entire year.
“This is a wonderful initiative, it improves the students’ learning environment while using less energy. We were also able to take advantage of energy efficiency rebates for heating and cooling improvements in 2015, so we are big fans of the program,” Clabaugh said.
The free, public school serves approximately 360 students in grades 7-12.
