East of New York City, Hempstead, NY, a township in Nassau County that would be the second-largest city in the state if it were incorporated, is making the switch to LED lighting for its streets in a deal that will yield an estimated $57 million in lifetime savings. The changeout of 50,000 high-pressure sodium (HPS) streetlights to Cree LEDs will pay for itself in 2.5 years with $3 million in annual savings, according to the Durham, NC, lighting manufacturer.
The project began with a test installation along Sunrise Highway that saved $75,000 annually, and as a result Cree was selected to deploy its lights along streets and in parking lots all over the township. That installation is now underway, and later phases call for changing the lighting in municipal buildings, parks and marinas.
Hempstead’s township leaders were looking to improve visibility while preserving the historic look of the residential streetscape. The town worked with Best LED Group, a lighting specialist distributor based in Hauppauge, NY, to select the Cree DPT Series for Decorative Post-Top luminaires, which deliver a 3000K color temperature for warm and inviting illumination, and delivers up to 74% energy savings over the earlier HPS technology. The Cree XSP Series was selected for the major roadways for its crisp, clean light, while Cree OSQ flood luminaires were installed in parking lots, where precise optical control is needed for improved safety and comfort.
“We had our eyes on LED technology for quite a few years because of the impressive energy savings. However, we had yet to find the ideal package that made economic sense,” said Gary Aue, street lighting supervisor for the Town of Hempstead, NY. “After reviewing Cree’s options, we saw there was a lot of money to be saved while providing the town with new lighting for a greater sense of comfort and safety that met all our needs, so we proceeded as soon as possible.”