Mayor James Fiorentini has unveiled a new energy-efficient lighting program at the Goecke parking deck on Merrimack Street.
The city applied for and received a grant from National Grid to replace all 72 of the lighting fixtures at the Merrimack Street parking garage with new energy-efficient fixtures.
The city received $20,476 worth of lights for $12,286, after receiving $8,190 from National Grid.
The new lights are expected to save the city about $8,363 per year, more than 40 percent less than it had been paying to light the lower level of the parking deck.
"It will take less than a year and a half to pay back the whole amount. It really is incredible how much the city will save with this new lighting," said mayoral aide Andrew Herlihy.
The annual lighting cost for the old fixtures was $20,372.26, and used a total wattage of 13,680 and 119,837 kilowatt hours. With the new fixtures, the annual lighting cost is $12,008.91, and will use a total wattage of 8,064 and 70,641 kilowatt hours.
According to Ed Skeffington, president of Hobart Energy Services, the old fixtures produced 112 watts. The new fixtures will cut that by 78 watts each, saving the city approximately $116 per fixture per year.
Fiorentini said the change in the light bulbs was part of the larger program, started by the Mayor's Energy Task Force, to "go green to save green."
"Today, more than ever, it is crucial that we save any money that we can through energy savings and instituting energy efficient programs. Through the assistance of the Mayor's Energy Task force, I am continually looking to save the city money on energy costs and this program in one more way to achieve this. I applaud and thank National Grid for their assistance and partnership in this important endeavor," Fiorentini said.
The next step in the mayor's greening of the city is an energy efficiency seminar, planned in partnership with Rebuilding Together, Community Action and Clean Water Action, on Monday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the technology center at Northern Essex Community College.
The seminar will help residents prepare for rising energy costs and learn ways to save.
"The most important thing you can do to prepare for rising energy costs is to have a free energy audit of your homes. Free energy audits are available from National Grid," Fiorentini said.
National Grid representatives will be at the seminar to talk about energy audits and how they can help homeowners save on their energy bills.
Representatives from Community Action will explain the weatherization program, and people from hardware stores and from Clean Water Action will give tips on insulation and weatherstripping.
