After several years of testing and refining its security light and street light program, Flint Energies has begun its conversion to all LED lights for its members.

“Since August of this year, Flint is replacing all of its older high pressure sodium lights with LED light fixtures which use only 40% of the energy for the same amount of lighting,” said Flint Energies Sr. VP Jimmy Autry. “Our older standard light uses 100 watts. The replacement LED light uses 40 watts. That means the new light uses 14 kilowatt-hour per month instead of 40 for its operation.”

Flint is replacing high pressure sodium lights as they require maintenance, though the new LED lights are already set up at the Warner Robins Law Enforcement Center on Watson Boulevard and on Church Street in front of the Centerville City Hall.

Over its 17-county service area. Flint serves 30,968 street lights and security lights which are leased to members for a single monthly fee. That fee does not change with the installation of the new LED light.

“Flint visits a light, on average, once every five years to replace a bulb or a photocell,” said Autry. “So it will take us about five years to completely change over to the LED lights.”

Members report light outages, lights staying on all day, or blinking lights every day to Flint, which normally responds with a next-day repair, according to Autry. Online light reports can be filed at https://www.flintenergies.com/report-security-light-outage/

“Flint Energies is a national leader in its conversion to LED lights,” said Autry. “LED lights use less energy and that’s good for all of us.Much of Flint’s experience with the newer LED lights came from its relationship with Fort Benning, where the not-for-profit cooperative has owned and operated the electric system since 1999. Fort Benning replaced 2500 street lights with LED fixtures several years ago, allowing Flint to test various vendors and configurations which are best suited for all members. Fort Benning goes farther in its energy-saving by controlling many of their street lights with a radio system which can reduce lighting or completely turn off unneeded lights in the overnight period.
“Energy conservation is always a good idea, and this LED street light change-out demonstrates our commitment to working for the best interests of our members,” said Autry. “We have a long history of making lighting changes which are more efficient, including the mass change from 175-watt mercury vapor street lights to 100-watt high pressure sodium light in the 1980’s and 90’s. The 40-watt LED is another great step forward in energy efficiency.”