Best Practice Guide

Local Governments

Introduction

Planning an Energy Program

Funding and Approval

Education

Lighting

Offices and Workstations

Daylighting

Hallways and Corridors

Restrooms and Closets

Outdoor Areas

Signage

Central HVAC System

Procurement Policy

Building Envelope

Demand Response

Distributed Generation

Water Use

Motors

Food Service

Resources and Appendices

Lessons Learned


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La Mesa, City of

London, City of

Pasadena, City of

Redondo Beach

Sacramento, City of

San Francisco, City of


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Lighting

Signage

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Light emitting diode (LED) signs have come a long way. A variety of colors and designs are now commonly available to create colorful, engaging graphics and animation. Signs are safe for use indoors or outdoors, and can be sized to meet multiple purposes.

Every office building should adopt at least one important LED sign - the exit sign. LED exit signs are cheap to operate, require almost no maintenance, and last much longer than their incandescent counterparts. ENERGY STAR estimates that annual savings from 100 LED exit signs compared to incandescent signs equals more than $5,000 - that is $50 per sign per year! Over an LED's lifetime, 100 LED models save about $31,644 after higher first costs have been repaid. Savings are even higher if owners or managers qualify for purchase rebates or other incentives. Since California building codes require exit signs or directional arrows placed at every exit door, corridor intersection, exit stairways and exit ramps, it is easy to see how these savings quickly add up.

Those who enjoy being on the cutting edge of technology might care to check out electroluminescent exit signs. These use only 0.25 watts for a solid-state green light that has no bulbs or parts to replace.


Resources

ENERGY STAR LED Exit Sign Information

Flex Your Power search for Rebates and incentives for LED exit signs.