UBC Facilities’ Energy and Water Services’ (EWS) mission is to generate energy for the campus, conserve and reduce wasted energy, and eliminate GHG emissions to achieve UBC’s Climate Action Plan, approved by the UBC Board of Governors in 20211.
UBC EWS collaborated with BC Hydro to secure financial support for the LED Lighting Retrofit Project, working in close partnership with Building Operations Electrical Projects from project initiation to completion.
The project scope included replacing existing fluorescent lamps and ballasts with LED lamps and compatible electronic ballasts. Additionally, existing pot lights were upgraded with energy-efficient retrofit kits.
Through the LED Lighting Retrofit Project in the David Strangway Building, the campus is projected to reduce its annual electrical energy consumption by 85,000 kWh. This will result in a direct reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 0.95 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e)2.
The LED Lighting Retrofit Project for the David Strangway Building not only reduces electrical energy consumption but also lowers campus operational costs and reduces heat load in the summer months. The decreased maintenance needs of the LED lighting system result in significant cost savings over its lifespan.
LEDs offer consistent light output, enhancing the working environment and reducing eye strain. They are also mercury-free and contain no hazardous substances, making them safer for the environment and easier to dispose of. Additionally, the reduced heat emission of LEDs decreases the risk of fire hazards compared to fluorescent lights, further improving safety and reliability.
2 Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). Electricity sector: Greenhouse gas quantification and reporting. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/industry/reporting/quantify/electricity