Economic and environmental analysis of retrofitting a large office building with energy-efficient lighting systems

An evaluation of the economic and environmental costs and benefits that wou ld result if the Zorinsky Federal Building, located in Omaha, Nebraska, USA , converted its current lighting system to a more energy-efficient system ( i.e., joined the EPA's Green Lights Program) was conducted. Lighting accoun ts for 20-25 percent of all electricity sold in the United States, Costs co nsidered in the study included the cost of retrofitting the building's exis ting lighting system and the cost of disposal of the current lamps and ball ast fixtures. Benefits included a reduction of electric utility costs and a reduction of emissions of SO2, NOx, CO2, and CO from electric utility powe r plants. Environmental and health issues for air pollutant omissions were also addressed. The results showed that significant reductions in utility bills as well as reductions in air emissions would result from a major building converting t o a more energy efficient lighting system. The results showed that conversi on of this large building would reduce SO2 emissions by 14.6 tons/yr and NO x emissions by 6.3 tons/yr. In addition, the conversion would reduce annual energy costs by approximately $114,000.