The City of Sequim Public Works crew continues to replace the bulbs in city street lamps with energy efficient light-emitting diode (LED) units as a way to reduce energy costs.

In 2013, 26 units were installed in the large lamps that focus on illuminating streets, resulting in a $4,000 reduction in the city’s annual electrical bill. In 2014, an additional 49 units were installed in large street lamps and the savings increased to $8,000 for the year.

Crews have installed an additional 19 units in large street lamps in 2015 and are currently installing 285 new LED units in the smaller sidewalk illuminating lamps.

The addition of the new units should bring annual electrical savings to about $12,000 in 2016.  The installation of the final 26 units in 2016 will bring annual electrical savings to about $13,000 per year.

In addition to savings in electrical costs, over time the city also should see a reduction in labor costs and materials as the LED units will need to be replaced less frequently than traditional bulbs.

The conversion project has cost $37,843 to date. The PUD has provided $26,490 in rebates toward the new units.

Additional grant monies are being pursued to cover the balance of the cost.