PRINCESS ANNE, MD, June 29, 2023 – Somerset County Public Schools’ (SCPS) recently completed a lighting retrofit project at Washington Academy & High School (WAHS) expected to save the school district approximately $30,000 in annual utility costs. The total project entailed the replacement of fluorescent overhead lights and fixtures with energy efficient LED systems, and the installation of controls and occupancy sensors that further reduce the building’s energy footprint. The project was nearly fully-funded by rebates and incentives totaling over $240,000 through Delmarva Power and the Energy Star Program, requiring only a $5,000 investment from SCPS; less than the annual cost of fluorescent bulb replacement and maintenance of fixtures at WAHS.
SCPS’ Facilities Manager, Mr. Jon Hill shared, “This project, thanks to the funds available from Delmarva Power and the Energy Star Program, is expected to provide a nearly 4,500% return on our investment. Aside from the energy savings we will realize by using more efficient systems, our new LED lights have a 20-year life span. Previously, we were replacing hundreds of costly fluorescent bulbs each year.”
A number of SCPS buildings will be receiving lighting and efficiency upgrades in the coming months, with the Somerset Board of Education being the next building to undergo a retrofit this summer.