Marietta could save about $3,300 a year on electricity by changing bulbs in the city's decorative street lighting, according to a presentation during city council's lands, buildings and parks committee Tuesday afternoon.
City engineer Joe Tucker said the savings could be realized by simply replacing the 70-watt high pressure sodium bulbs currently used in the city's 135 decorative street lights with more energy-efficient 40-watt induction lamps.
"The average service life of the bulbs we currently use is about three years," he said. "But the new induction bulbs have a service life of up to 100,000 hours and are warranted for 60,000 hours. And we wouldn't have to change the current globes or ballasts-just screw in the new bulbs."
John Blazosky with J&M Electrical Supply in Cambridge told the committee that those hours translate to an average service life of 15 to 17 years for the induction bulbs.
"That's a savings of about $3,300 a year," he added. "And these lights are pretty much zero maintenance."
The induction bulbs cost $79 each, but they do not require a separate ballast like the current bulbs. Tucker said those ballasts cost around $300 apiece.
Fact Box
If you go
- Marietta City Council's water, sewer, and sanitation committee, special utilities committee, streets committee, and employee relations committee are scheduled to meet beginning at 3 p.m. today in the second floor conference room at 304 Putnam St. All committee meetings, except executive sessions, are open to the public.
- For more information, including upcoming meetings and agendas, go to www.mariettaoh.net
He said the initial cost to replace the 135 decorative light bulbs would be $10,665, but American Electric Power would issue the city a rebate of nearly $3,000 through its energy reduction program, making the city's total layout just under $7,700.
Blazosky also said he would assist with recycling of the old bulbs if replaced by the induction bulbs.
The committee members agreed to replace the decorative lighting bulbs.
Tucker said induction bulbs have already been installed in the decorative street lights at the new Harmar boat docks currently under construction near the intersection of Fort and Maple streets.
Valley Gem
Also on Tuesday, Jason Sands, owner of the Valley Gem Sternwheeler excursion boat, asked the committee members to consider leasing extra dock space immediately downriver of the Valley Gem's current mooring location under the Washington Street Bridge on the Muskingum River.
Sands said he is converting the barge to which he currently ties the Valley Gem into a passenger barge that would be used for weddings and larger group tours, and he would need the extra length of river bank to park the excursion barge.
He hopes to have the barge ready for service by next year.
Councilman Tom Vukovic, D-4th Ward, asked if Sands could use the section of river bank formerly occupied by the showboat Becky Thatcher behind the National Guard Armory. But Sands said the piers under the Harmar Railroad Bridge near that location would make it difficult to turn the Valley Gem around.
Noland said the dock space requested by Sands would be advertised for public lease in the future, and he could place a bid on it.
Dan and Shana Woodford currently lease that section of river bank from the city.
Shana Woodford told the committee members the docks they own at that location have been there for 40 years, and expressed some concern that the city may ask them to relocate to another area to make room for Sands' barge.
Sands said he just wanted to make the committee members aware of his plans and he was not requesting any action at this time.
