Bay de Noc Community College Light Pipe Project

DESCRIPTION:

The Bay de Noc Community College installed fourteen light pipes in its Extension Center Building in July 1996 as part of the Energy Office’s light pipe pilot program. This program was funded by the Department of Energy’s State Energy Program. The objective was to promote new energy efficient technologies in commercial applications. Light pipes are a lower cost, more efficient means to provide natural daylight to a building. Light pipes take both direct and diffused sunlight and guide it in a reflective tube to a diffuser. Because daylight is free, day lighting systems can significantly reduce lighting costs. Work and learning environments are improved by having natural daylight.
 

LIGHT PIPE FEATURES:

• Light passes through a clear roof-mounted acrylic dome
• Light reflects down the mirrored tubing to a ceiling mounted diffuser
• The sunlight is diffused throughout the entire room area
• One 13" light pipe can illuminate up to 400 square feet of office or residential space
• The tubing fits easily between rafters, no structural changes to the building are required
• Installed price is one-half of a sky light
• Lights evenly without glare
• Maximizes color perception
• Daylight improves working environment; improves employee mood and morale
• Pays for itself through lighting energy savings

ENERGY SAVINGS:

The light pipes were installed after a complete lighting retrofit on the building. The lighting retrofit replaced the existing standard fluorescent fixtures with energy efficient T-8 bulbs and electronic ballasts. Motion sensors were installed at this time as well. The lighting retrofit reduced the total kilowatt hours of the building by 29%. After the light pipe installation, the kilowatt hours were reduced by another 15%.

The kilowatt usage for the base year of 95-96 was 25,091 ($1,559). The following year, after the light pipe installation, this was reduced to 21,290 ($1,326). To achieve optimal savings with the light pipes, day light sensors would be recommended. These sensors would reduce the fluorescent lighting as the daylight increased. The Bay de Noc Extension Center Building relies on manual control to reduce the fluorescent lighting when there is adequate day light.

Employee response to the light pipes has been very positive. One employee commented that she now has fewer headaches.

Bob Pepin Superior Solar (813) 545-3973 7296 J Road Escanaba, MI 49829

Bob Pepin Bay de Noc Community College (906) 786-5802 2001 North Lincoln Road Escanaba, MI 49829

Feel free to contact us if you have any ideas for case studies:

Main Telephone Line: (517) 241-6228
Main Fax line: (517) 241-6229

Energy Office, Department of Consumer and Industry Services
Office of Policy and Leglislative Affairs
P.O Box 30221
Lansing , MI 48909