Area Lights
United Cooperative Services strives to provide the latest innovations to the members it serves, while adhering to federal and state regulations and policies. Commitment to our members is an everlasting principle and serves as a constant reminder to all that being part of a not-for-profit electric cooperative has advantages. At United, our employees continually offer members information on products, services and industry issues that could affect how they use the electricity we deliver.
Changes in federal policy regarding area lights have led to a transition in how we address this specific area of our service portfolio. Through this fact sheet, we hope to ensure that United members are fully informed on changes to area light policies.
Key Facts
- The Energy Policy Act of 2005 prohibits manufacturing or importing traditional Mercury Vapor (MV) lamp ballasts as of Jan. 1, 2008.
- United has selected High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamps as a replacement for the MV option that we can no longer offer.
- HPS lamps are more energy efficient than MV lamps.
- Light from MV lamps is typically "white". Light from HPS is amber in color.
- If an existing MV ballast fails, United must replace the area light to support HPS.
- At the current time, new requests for area lights will only be fulfilled with HPS lights.
- An environmental fee could be assessed in the future for the disposal of MV bulbs.
- MV lamps eventually will become obsolete.
Key Benefits of the change to HPS Area Lights
- HPS lights produce more light-at the same cost-than the MV lamps (See table below).
- HPS bulbs are more environmentally friendly than MV lights and do not have to be disposed of in certified landfills.
- HPS lamps attract fewer bugs.
| Key Comparisons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulb Type | Wattage | Average Life | Lumens (brightness factor) |
| Mercury Vapor | 175 Watts | 24,000 Hours | 6240 |
| High-Pressure Sodium | 100 Watts | 24,000 Hours | 8550 | *Source: Eye Lighting International |
Other "White" Light Options
United is currently reviewing other options to provide a "white" light option for its members. One bulb/fixture option under review is Metal Halide (MH), but bulb lifespan and energy efficiency of this option is not as good as the HPS option that United currently provides. Further, United is testing new light emitting diode (LED) fixtures/bulbs, but initial cost is high and light output is currently not as good as the HPS option that United currently provides. As we complete the research/testing of these other options, evaluation will be completed and we will determine if the options could be made available to the members.
Dark Sky Retrofit Options
United also offers a Dark Sky Retrofit Option for standard installation 100-watt high-pressure sodium light fixtures. Members, at their option, may choose to request the cooperative to install a cutoff reflector to replace the acrylic refractor on standard installation 100 watt area light fixtures. Any costs over and above the standard street light fixture cost will be borne by the member.
Looking Out for the Membership
The transition to HPS lamps from MV lamps will be an ongoing effort. As always, United will continue to keep members fully abreast of changes to all federal and state industry policies and regulations. As those changes occur we will offer innovative solutions, such as we have by providing High-Pressure Sodium lamps.
