Let there be (better) light

In March of this year, the City of Salem retrofitted its existing fluorescent lights with modern LED fixtures in its municipal buildings. This included the Maintenance Building, the Salem Crew Public Library, and the Community Center/Fire Station.

Connie Weatherman, nutrition center manager for Milestone Area Agency on Aging, who uses the Community Center kitchen for congregate and home-delivered meals, is enthusiastic about the change.

'For the first time, we can actually see what we are doing,” she said.

Warmer versions of LED fixtures were installed in the dining and meeting area, which citizens say give a much nicer, more even light to the room.

The new lights are also more efficient than the older fluorescent lighting, resulting in a reduction in lighting costs.

'Because of differences in temperatures and building usage levels, it is difficult to give an exact number,” said Dan Patterson, mayor of Salem, 'but in reviewing the numbers for March through July, it appears that we are saving about 12 percent on our utility expenses because of this change. This is especially impressive given that lighting is only part of our electric bill - although obviously a major part.”

The retrofit was made possible by funding from the town, the abatement program from Alliant Energy, and a grant from the Henry County Enrichment Foundation.

Under the same program, the all air-conditioning compressors for the town were re-optimized.

'We are extremely grateful for the support of the foundation,” said Patterson. 'Our town would not have been able to carry through with this project without their help. The improvement in quality, plus the cost savings are both of huge importance to the town.”