Improving the Laboratory Environment

posted September 2016

This summer, MEE completed a retrofit  of our office and laboratory space to LED lighting.  We had been looking for ways to save energy in our facility so we had a lighting assessment done and learned we qualified for the Xcel energy rebate program for retrofits.

Benefits of the project were noticed soon after the work was completed.  Our energy bill for the first full month after the retrofit showed significant savings and staff and customers have commented on the improvement in the quality of the lighting, especially in our metallographic laboratory, project inspection bay and machine shop. We have since read a Cornell University study which showed a 3-5% increase in worker productivity could be obtained by switching to LED bulbs. Hmmm, and here we were just hoping to decrease our energy use.