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City of Elgin New Lighting Efforts
About 8 years ago the first 55 watt Inductive Street Light in Elgin was installed as one of two lights in the dual decorative treetlight fixture on Slade Avenue in front of Sherman Hospital. This light has operated untouched since it was installed. Over the past four years the City has replaced all of the incandescent light bulb traffic signals that are City owned and maintained saving 85 to 90 percent on the energy needed for the traffic signals. All new signals installed use LED’s. The three decorative lights, now operating in the new Ann Douglas neighborhood park use 55 watt Inductive lights. Elgin Academy will be using 85 watt inductive lights in the Decorative street lights around Kimball St and Academy Place. Advantages are lower energy needs for LED’s, from 60% to 85% depending on the application. Inductive lights save up to 40%, again depending on the application. Both forms of light save tremendously on their maintenance costs however. Inductive lights can go 10 to 15 years without service, the same for LED’S. While there are claims for even longer intervals between services the fixtures will probably have to be cleaned at least. Longer service intervals save in man-hour costs plus truck usage and the fuel savings for trips saved by the longer intervals between visits.
Charles G. Pitt, Traffic Superintendent Public Works, 847-931-5986
pitt_c@cityofelgin.org
The Centre is in Action
The Centre was built in 2002 and it was designed with the most efficient energy available at that time. However, there are some areas where the lighting can be updated to save energy. Wayne, Operation Manager is working on it. The goal is to be the most efficient that we can be.
Another way we are helping is with our recycling program. There are many garbage cans throughout the Centre with recycle compartments. We also have garbage cans that look like a big bottle just for water bottles. The administration offices have many recycle bins just for papers. We recycle ink cartridges, toners, and batteries.
In addition, Parks and Recreation has Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, a wonderful place specific for all ages to teach, to have fun, and to learn more about nature. Every seasonal brochure has a dedicated section for nature classes and programs that are taught at the nature center. Families can learn about trees, leaves, animals, plants, and pond life within the woods at Hawthorne Hills. This year when the gas price was going up (fortunately, now is going down) there were classes geared toward saving fuel energy. Other classes were created to teach how to save energy and water at home. For families, there are campfire programs where parents and kids sing songs, tell stories, and cook hotdogs and/or marshmallows over the campfire.
Oralia Braun, The Centre, Elgin
www.cityofelgin.org
