The video below shows an inside look into what it’s like to replace light bulbs on a major roadway in New York City. It’s worth watching!
One of the workers on the project, Ronnie Gagliardi cited the three reasons the whole project came about:
- Power: The old mercury vapor light bulbs lining the bridge consumed 100 watts of energy each. The replacement LEDs generate about 30 watts each. When you multiply that by about 200 light bulbs, it results in significant energy savings.
- Maintenance: The LED fixtures will last approximately 7 years, compared with the mercury vapor light bulbs which only lasted two years. Replacing light bulbs on this bridge means closing roadways and sending maintenance crews up to the cable. With the new LEDs, maintenance will be much more infrequent.
- Recycling: It’s quite a long process to recycle mercury vapor light bulbs. LEDs are much easier to handle once they reach the end of their life.