Submitted by Whatcom County YMCA
The Whatcom County YMCA’s downtown Bellingham location announced that they are replacing all of their old, inefficient fluorescent lighting with new LED fixtures. It may seem like a small matter of routine maintenance, but as an organization with a long rich past, the YMCA knows how important it is to plan for the future. This project will improve lighting for the members who access the many services offered at this facility, free up funding for other programs offered by the YMCA, and benefit the community as a whole.
By changing the existing mixture of 677 lighting fixtures in the building to 100 percent LED, the Bellingham YMCA is reducing electricity usage by the equivalent of the annual electricity used by 35 average American homes. These fuel savings will result in a reduction in carbon dioxide pollution equivalent to taking 26 cars off the road every year. As an organization whose mission is to build stronger community, the YMCA is excited to take the opportunity to have such a large impact on reducing energy use and pollution in Whatcom County.
When large businesses achieve big energy savings, it is a win for our whole community. Businesses have a proportionate ability to cut down on carbon pollution, and reducing demand for energy keeps prices low for everyone, as it reduces the need for expensive new infrastructure. Not only will this project result in massive energy savings, but members using the YMCA’s gym facilities will notice brighter, more consistent light quality and less waste heat due to inefficient lighting – a huge bonus in these hot summer months. The Whatcom YMCA will save 68% on the cost of lighting this building, as well as saving on maintenance, since LEDs are rated to last at least 10 years. As a non-profit, this will free up more funds to support the YMCA’s mission of strengthening families in our community.
This LED upgrade project was imagined and implemented with the help of community partners and local contractors including the Community Energy Challenge (CEC), a non-profit program that helps local homes and businesses make energy efficiency upgrades by providing expert advice, customized action plans, project management services, and financial incentives. The Bellingham YMCA building had a thorough energy assessment from the CEC that helped identify and prioritize opportunities to save energy and money. Puget Sound Energy (PSE), the local electric utility, covered 56% percent of the project costs with their rebate program, helping bring the payback period down to 2 years and making it an easy decision for The YMCA to move forward with the update. The YMCA contracted Bellingham-based 2020 LED Lighting to design the project due to their experience with cutting edge LED technology and local electrician Aperture Electrical to perform the installation.
“It is very exciting to be able to take our great 106 year old building and turn it into one of the most efficiently lit buildings in the area,” said Whatcom YMCA CEO Bill Ziels. “We are grateful and impressed with the support we received from Puget Sound Energy and the Community Energy Challenge that enabled us to get this done. This project will help make us stronger and able to serve Whatcom County for another 100 years.”
