OEC cut a big check to Little Axe Public Schools — $27,936 — as a rebate for the schools’ recent transition to LED lighting.
Little Axe replaced every light bulb on its property with an LED version totaling over 4,500 lamps.
“It was a pretty big initial investment,” said Little Axe Superintendent Jay Thomas. “But, we are already reaping the benefits.”
LEDs use 60 to 80 percent less energy than traditional lighting methods, estimates the U.S. Department of Energy. Quality LED bulbs will last 25 times longer than traditional bulbs which can more than make up for the initial investment. They have the additional advantages of burning cooler, being a more efficient task light and as they contain no mercury, they are more environmentally friendly.
Little Axe completed its retrofit in May and has already experienced a 12 percent kilowatt hour (kWh) reduction — significant savings considering it includes only one month of school. While Little Axe is the first school to take advantage of OEC’s LED retrofit program, it won’t be the last.
“We are ecstatic to offer this cost-savings program to the schools we serve,” said Tory Tedder-Loffland, OEC education and outreach coordinator. “We hope it alleviates some of the pain of recent budget cuts and helps create a positive educational environment for students.”
The LED retrofit program is a partnership between OEC and its power supplier, Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, and is available to schools, churches and commercial consumer-members. OEC also offers efficiency rebates for the installation of heat pumps and electric water heaters. Visit www.okcoop.org to learn more about our rebate program.
To find out more about the program and savings, contact Randy Harnsberger, key accounts manager at 217-6708 or randyh@okcoop.org.