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New Holiday Lights Brighten Campus with Energy Savings

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

By Jake Weber

Albion College's new LED tree lights use significantly less energy.

Albion's tree lighting this year brightens campus in more ways than one, providing holiday cheer both to the Quad and to the energy-conscious. LED tree lights illuminate the Quad using just 96 watts, compared to the 7,000 required for the old lights.

"We brought the purchase of new tree lights to the administration without reference to cost savings," said Director of Technical Services Eric Beadle, stressing that Albion's Year of Sustainability motivated him to research lighting alternatives. "Reducing our power usage so significantly was a bonus, but this was primarily a sustainability move."

Beadle noted the energy savings will pay the cost of the lights in about three years.

The new tree lights were switched on during a community celebration December 1 in the College Quadrangle. Lewis Chapel AME's children's choir and the Albion High School Glee Club performed, along with United Voices of Albion College.