Our own “Conservation Committee”
Our heating costs were significant last winter. We’re establishing an informal “Conservation Committee” to come up with recommendations to reduce Makerspace utility bills.
Suggestions so far include:
- Lighting(with potential for automation)
- “Smart” thermostats with occupancy-based controls
- Check for NH Saves grants
- Power consumption monitoring
- Insulation
Our initial focus will be on LED lights to replace the ancient fluorescent tubes. Benefits we can expect include energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and better light quality.
Energy efficiency
LED lights use as little as 20% of the power of fluorescent lights, providing immediate cost savings as well as reducing the waste heat generated (cutting AC costs in the summer). Even in the winter, the “free” heat from lighting is still more expensive than the heat we get from our natural gas service.
Longer lifespan
LED lights also have a much longer lifespan than fluorescent lights (up to 50,000 hours, while fluorescent lights typically last for only 10K). So we’ll need to replace LED lights much less often than fluorescent lights, freeing up Board & volunteer time.
Better light quality
LED can offer “better quality” light than fluorescent lights. Brighter, more uniform, faster to come to full brightness, and (with some tubes) better color rendering (CRI) and more “natural” look.
Safer
Most LED conversion units are plastic (so no glass to shatter) and are generally free of mercury and have reduced lead and other toxins compared to fluorescent bulbs and ballasts.
Subsidies
New Hampshire and PSNH offer discounts on LED bulbs. We will research available grants.
