HAGERSTOWN - In an effort to save thousands of dollars, the City of Hagerstown will start replacing its traffic signal bulbs with light-emitting diodes.
City Public Works Director Eric Deike said the switch could shave a significant amount off the $90,000 annual electric bill that the city pays to keep the traffic signals operating.
The City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday to spend $16,932 to purchase the LEDs from RGA Inc., of Powhatan, Va.
LEDs are a series of several small lights, rather than a single bulb, he said. One of the advantages of LEDs is that when one or two of the small lights burns out, the light remains operational.
Besides using about 75 percent less electricity than conventional bulbs, Deike said LEDs last up to 10 times longer.
Bulbs last about one or two years, he said.
The city would save labor costs by not having to change the LEDs as often, Deike said.
