The Center for the Visual Arts building has received a $15,000 overhaul of its lighting system, illuminating not only the facility but also meeting goals of energy efficiency at The University of Toledo.
“The Center for the Visual Arts is burning brighter thanks to the comprehensive fluorescent light retrofit project. Not only do we see better, but we appreciate the energy savings with the more efficient use of electricity,” said Chris Burnett, associate professor and chair of art.
The center expects savings of 30 percent as a result of this project, which was completed in March. On top of these savings, the project will bring in a $11,000 rebate for the energy upgrade, and all refuse from this project was recycled, according to the project leader Sandrine Mubenga, UT manager of electrical engineering.
Funding for this project would not have been possible without the help of Jim Graff, director of facilities operations, who volunteered $12,000 from his budget. The remaining $3,000 was supplied by SEED (Sustainability, Energy Efficiency and Design), UT’s sustainability initiative.
The majority of the work was completed in-house by Facilities. However, some areas of the center are structured with high ceilings and called for independent contractors. Mubenga kept the University’s mission in mind and partnered with a minority business enterprise, Bryson/Tucker Electric LLC.
“Overall, this project modeled goal orientation and the breaking down of silos between different areas and trades within the University,” said Brooke Mason, UT interim sustainability specialist. “It’s more efficient and better for everyone if the university operates in this manner.”
