Energy Board and County Forms Pilot Program with Eastern Energy Solutions to Monitor New Lighting Efficiencies in County Office Building

BINGHAMTON, NY - Eastern Energy Solutions installed today a series of SofTrace lighting in the Department of Public Works Office for a pilot project to test the efficiency of new SofTrace lighting in the County Office Building. The Broome County Energy Board led by Broome County Legislator Jason Garnar, has been discussing and studying means to create savings for the county through environmental upgrades and efficiency improvements. The pilot program spawned from discussion about the cost of interior lighting in county buildings and overall energy rate increases.

“As energy costs continue to rise we have to find ways to be more efficient and create savings,” stated Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala. “We are pleased to host a pilot project with Eastern Energy Solutions to test out a competent product.”

The new SofTrace lighting is made by Lightspec in Syracuse, NY. SofTrace is described as “an energy efficient recessed architectural luminaire that provides soft natural lighting”. The industry has reported that the SofTrace offers the best possible perceived value. The fixure is designed for easier maintenance and cleaning. The perforated center section creates an architectural accent similar to a recessed direct/indirect luminaire, but uses an all direct configuration with no open basket to collect debris.

The pilot project will determine whether the SofTrace will function and perform better than the current lighting and the estimated 57% reduction and savings of kWh consumption.The current installed lighting in the County Office Building has an output wattage of 72 watts/fixture. These new SofTrace premium fixtures will give out 31 watts/fixture.

“The easiest way to reduce energy costs in Broome County is to find ways to reduce the amount of energy we use,” commented Legislator Jason Garnar, 3rd District. “Replacing old lighting systems with new energy efficient lights will save taxpayers a great amount of money. I am looking forward to evaluating the energy savings during this trial period, and I would like to thank Bob Granger and Eastern Energy Solutions for donating these new energy-efficient lights and for their time installing them. If the results are positive, I will be a strong advocate of replacing all of our lights in the Broome County Office Building with energy efficient ones.”

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Published Date: 03-21-2008