UCF estimates it can save at least $10,000 a year in energy and maintenance costs in the Key West Ballroom simply by replacing recessed downlights and troffers with energy-efficient Cree LR6™ LED downlights and LR24™ LED troffers. The new LED fixtures in the ballroom consume approximately 85 percent less energy than the old fixtures, reducing energy consumption from more than 10,000 watts to less than 1,500 watts. Additionally, the traditional T8 fluorescent light fixtures in the student government offices were replaced with 17 energy-saving LED fixtures.

“When you consider the Key West ballroom lights are on for 16 to 18 hours each day, the payback is less than two years,” said Rick Falco, Associate Director Student Union, UCF. “The LED lighting also has better light quality—it’s easier on the eyes and it’s dimmable, which gives us greater flexibility for the wide range of events held in the ballroom.”

“I commend the UCF Student Government Association for taking the lead in bringing LED lighting to the student union, showing the impact students can have in driving green initiatives on their campuses,” said Deb Loving, Cree, LED programs manager. “In addition to becoming a greener campus, UCF can reap the benefits of energy and maintenance savings for years to come.”

About LED University

The LED University initiative is a growing international community of universities working to evaluate, deploy and promote LED lighting across their campus infrastructures to save energy, protect the environment, reduce maintenance costs and provide better light quality for improved visibility and safety.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 22 percent of electricity used in the U.S. powers lighting. In a world with soaring energy prices based on the availability and control of fossil fuels, and with growing concern about sustainability of the environment, a revolution in lighting is long overdue. Participants include North Carolina State University; Marquette University; University of Arkansas; University of California, Davis; University of California, Santa Barbara; Notre Dame; Madison Area Technical College; University of Alaska, Anchorage; University of Miami, Milwaukee Area Technical College; Joliet Junior College; Tianjin Polytechnic University in China and the Universities at Shady Grove.

Details of each university’s LED lighting installations can be found on the LED University website. For additional product and company information, please refer to www.cree.com. To learn more about the LED Lighting Revolution, please visit http://lighting.cree.com/. Media Contact: Cree, Inc., Corporate Communications, Michelle Murray, 919-313-5505, michelle_murray@cree.com