| Energy-Saving Improvements |
LED lighting |
| Estimated annual savings |
301,258 kWh |
| Total project cost |
$115,101 |
| ComEd Energy Efficiency Program incentive |
$63,466 |
| Project cost after incentive |
$51,635 |
| Estimated annual electric cost savings* |
$26,963 |
| Estimated payback after incentives |
Less than 2 years |
*Estimated savings based on a facility electricity rate of $0.895 per kWh, which is the average blended electric rate for commercial buildings in the State of Illinois according to the Energy Information Administration.
Project Summary
When Freeport's City Manager Lowell Crow first learned about the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program in 2018, he realized the opportunity it presented for the City of Freeport. ComEd worked with the city to ensure each project met each department's particular needs – the Road Department needed special high bay light fixtures to accommodate the trucks; the airport ramp required pole lights; the hangars were each a different building type with different fixture and wiring requirements. Crow was so pleased with the work that he has written regularly for the local paper about Freeport’s energy efficiency upgrades and benefits. He’s also shared the positive impact that the program has had on the city at Illinois City / County Management Association meetings and other such gatherings.
The Solution
ComEd worked with the city to identify several facilities where energy efficiency upgrades were needed most, including fire stations, police stations and the art museum. Completed projects include a variety of lighting replacements at multiple city locations.
ComEd also worked with Freeport to ensure that projects were not “one-size-fits-all,” to accommodate each facility’s unique needs. Crow notes that they even went above and beyond for the Streets Department facility, testing, identifying and ultimately changing a fixture that was interfering with garage door openers.
Project Benefits
In addition to reducing Freeport’s energy costs and carbon footprint, the city is benefitting from improved lighting quality, reduced maintenance and increased safety. Tax dollars can now fund other projects that will improve the quality of life for Freeport’s citizens and help bring new business into the community. For example, the recent airport lighting improvements will complement other initiatives to attract employers that rely on aviation infrastructure. So far there have been seven different projects completed for the city of Freeport. ComEd incentives have covered 55% of the project costs and the energy savings are estimated at 301,258 kWh per year. The potential for more incentives and energy savings are on the horizon as HVAC assessments are being scheduled for the early Spring.
“Without the (ComEd Energy Efficiency Program), the process would have been much longer…and we didn’t have to file paperwork, it was all done for us.”
