A Community Conservation Challenge Grant of just under $60,000 will help reduce energy use across Monroe County by funding projects at a Bloomington parking garage, a park, several school buildings and an Ellettsville fire station.
The grant, from the Indiana Office of Energy Development, will help fund installation of lighting upgrades. “Lighting tends to have one of the quickest paybacks,” said Jacqui Bauer, sustainability coordinator for the city of Bloomington. “A lot of lighting upgrades will pay for themselves in three to four years, so that’s like having a 30 percent return. That’s pretty good.”
The metal halide lights in the Seventh and Walnut parking garage and in Miller-Showers Park will be upgraded to more efficient LED lights. Because the LEDs are brighter, the number of fixtures needed may be reduced, further decreasing the energy needed to light the areas. Bauer said the lights on the top floor will meet dark-sky compliance.
Work at the parking garage and park should begin soon, after the paperwork is processed, said Bauer, adding that people will notice a difference in the color of the light and its intensity after installation.
Grant money won’t change light bulbs but will instead add sensors in Monroe County Community School Corp. facilities. Occupancy sensors will be added to about 20 classrooms at Bloomington High School South. The sensors will turn off lights when no movement of people is detected in the rooms, according to Dean Walendzak, energy and environmental specialist with the school district.
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