FirstEnergy Corp.’s Toledo Edison has commenced the City of Sylvania’s $342,000 streetlight conversion project in Lucas County, Ohio. The initiative involves the installation of 1,650 LED streetlight fixtures to replace existing lights.
The new LEDs are projected to be about 50% more efficient than the previous high-pressure sodium lights. This efficiency is expected to result in an estimated annual energy cost saving of $77,000 for the city. Moreover, the lifespan of these new lights is anticipated to be between 15 and 20 years, significantly longer than the three to five years for the previous lights. City officials estimate that the return on investment will be approximately four and a half years.
Pat Mullin, Acting President of FirstEnergy’s Ohio Operations said, “Communities such as Sylvania are increasingly focused on investing in cost-effective projects that offer long-term benefits. The LED streetlight initiative is an excellent illustration of this approach. We are excited to witness the positive impact these improvements will have on the city where we live and work with pride.”
In other communities within Toledo Edison’s service area, such as Toledo and Perrysburg, significant improvements in visibility and security have been observed following the installation of LED streetlights. According to data from Toledo city, violent crimes decreased by 37% in 2018 after LED lights were installed in its Old South End section in 2017.
Sylvania Mayor Craig Stough said, “Beyond their cost-saving benefits, LED streetlights play a key role in reducing crime and keeping local communities safe. We are excited to take this next step in our community to showcase what a great place Sylvania is to live, work and visit.”
Toledo Edison serves nearly 315,000 customers in northwest Ohio. FirstEnergy’s electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems serving customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York.
