Nov 20, 2014 By Susan Schmeichel 1 min read

Bethel Park School Board members have awarded a contract to upgrade lighting throughout the district.

The board,on Nov. 18 awarded the $1,218,160 contract to Trane Corporation. The contract covers the replacement of outdated and discontinued lighting, said Matthew Howard, assistant to the superintendent/finance and operations.

The outdated lights will be replaced with light-emitting diode fixtures, resulting in utility savings as well as savings in replacement costs, Howard explained.

Over 20 years, the estimated utility savings for the district is expected to amount to $1.5 million.

In addition, Trane Corporation is offering a discount because the district will pay 90 percent of the cost of the project up front. Trane also guarantees the cost savings.

“We feel it is a good upgrade,” Howard said.

The project will include the replacement of 4,200 fixtures, some with multiple bulbs.

Board members were able to witness the better quality of light provide by the LED fixtures because the contractor replaced some of the fixtures in the board meeting room to demonstrate the difference.

According to Howard, none of the buildings in the district have been completely converted to LED.