Lighting switch at Ohio National Guard facilities expected to save up to 30% in energy costs

Photo By Spc. Jessica Maynard | Steve Swanson, energy manager for the Ohio Adjutant General’s Department Directorate of Installation Management and Resources (DIMR) Environmental and Energy Branch, demonstrates how to use a light control panel April 2, 2021, at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Beightler Armory is one of several Ohio National Guard facilities where new energy-efficient LED lighting has been installed.  

COLUMBUS, OH, UNITED STATES

04.22.2021

Story by Stephanie Beougher 

Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Out with the old, in with the new. Outdated and less efficient lighting is being replaced with more energy-efficient LED systems at Ohio National Guard facilities across the state.

The Ohio Adjutant General’s Directorate of Installation Management and Resources (DIMR) Environmental and Energy Branch has facilitated the improvements.

“The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) has provided close to $400,000 in project funding for state facilities, while our energy office has targeted LED lighting upgrades to 100% federally funded facilities,” said Steve Swanson, DIMR energy manager.

With state funding from the capital budget, the OFCC has provided design services, contracting, bid process and award, and project management for lighting improvements at 12 Army National Guard readiness centers in several phases that began in 2019.

“(OFCC’s) partnership and support allows our bandwidth to be limitless with projects and upgrades to our facilities. Their professionalism and eagerness to improve energy efficiency aligns with our views and, together, we are reducing energy and government costs across the board,” said 1st Lt. Andrew Daugherty of the DIMR Environmental and Energy Branch.

In a separate project, about $570,000 in federal funding enabled lighting upgrades at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory, in Columbus, and the two Army National Guard aviation support facilities in the state, in Columbus and North Canton.

The state and federal investment will mean both short- and long-term savings.

“There are immediate efficiency impacts due to reduced consumption and control strategies, and cost savings up to 30% on electrical lighting expenses for impacted facilities. We also expect to see reduced maintenance costs for the longer life fixtures and lamps and, in many cases, no bulb changes,” Swanson said.

As an example of the savings, Swanson pointed to the Beightler Armory, home to the Ohio National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, where it’s expected the savings will be more than $30,000 a year in lower electricity and maintenance costs.

Future energy projects are being planned in conjunction with the OFCC to do additional LED lighting upgrades and making sure heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are working efficiently at key facilities.
Readiness center lighting upgrades have been completed with the OFCC at:

 1st Sgt. Robert Pinn Armory in Stow (Summit County)
 Akron Hawkins Readiness Center in Akron (Summit County)
 Brig. Gen. Woods King Armory in Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)
 Chagrin Falls Readiness Center in Chagrin Falls (Geauga County)
 Coshocton Readiness Center in Coshocton (Coshocton County)
 Dover Readiness Center in Dover (Tuscarawas County)
 Gov. John W. Brown Readiness Center in Medina (Medina County)
 Lorain Readiness Center in Lorain (Lorain County)
 Maj. Gen. Charles H. Jones Armory in Hamilton (Butler County)
 Maj. Gen. Leo M. Kreber Armory in Kettering (Montgomery County)
 Pfc. Frank Petrarca Armory in Brook Park (Cuyahoga County)
 Wooster Readiness Center in Wooster (Wayne County)

• Date Taken: 04.22.2021
• Date Posted: 04.22.2021 16:18
• Story ID: 394507
• Location: COLUMBUS, OH, US