Energy-saving LEDs get the green light

By THERESA KATALINAS

By March, Falls could be lighting its way to green savings.

The board recently awarded a $25,318 contract to Armour and Sons Electric for the purchase and installation of 22 LED streetlights for five township roadways.

If the potentially energy-saving pilot project proves successful, the township plans to gradually switch its 2,600 streetlights to LEDs.

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are solid-state lighting components. The alternative lighting source is said to last decades, far exceeding the one- to two-year life of traditional light bulbs, officials said.

LED City — a community of government and industry parties promoting LED technology — contends that 98 percent of the power used for a light bulb produces heat rather than light.

Supervisor James Prokopiak, who has researched the technology, said LEDs could help the township save 40 percent of the $250,000 to $300,000 annual streetlight expense.

"It's something we need to start doing now," Prokopiak said, noting that most energy comes from foreign countries. "We're making our enemies rich. That's not a good thing."

A few years ago, Falls began a phased replacement of township-owned traffic lights with LEDs.

Other towns, including Bristol Township, Yardley, Langhorne and Doylestown have either followed suit or are considering installing LED lights.