by Shane Henson — August 3, 2012—Harvard University is well on its way toward its goal of receiving LEED Gold certification for its soon-to-be-renovated Fogg Art Museum Complex through the assistance of LED lighting manufacturer Clear-Vu Lighting and general contractor Skanska USA Building. The companies’ out-of-the-box sustainability strategies have already led to the museum garnering LEED Innovation in Design Credit (ID) at the start of construction by using energy-saving temporary jobsite lighting.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awards ID credits for exceptional or innovative performance beyond the requirements addressed by its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building rating system. In Harvard’s case, the use of Clear-Vu’s low-voltage, light-emitting diode (LED)-based FLEX SLS Site Lighting System could have precedent-setting implications for saving energy during construction, USGBC says.
“It’s a way to earn an ID credit that I don’t think anyone’s really thought of,” said Daniel Lax, who heads business development for Clear-Vu Lighting. “This is the first time the USGBC awarded a LEED ID credit for temporary lighting.”
Skanska’s application for the LEED credit cites an anticipated 75 percent reduction in energy consumption on the Harvard jobsite over two years with the use of its LED system, thereby significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, LEDs do not contain mercury, notes Clear-Vu Lighting.
The lights also translate into cost savings, says Skanska and Clear-Vu. With conventional lighting, the electric bill on the Harvard project was expected to reach $395,000. With Clear-Vu’s LED system, it’s expected to be just $45,000.
Skanska’s Paul Davey had such a positive experience with LED lighting on the Harvard job, he is recommending his firm adopt this technology on projects around the country. He said superintendents on jobsites generally find temporary lighting to be a burden as well as a safety concern. With Clear-Vu’s LED system, there’s no maintenance and no bulbs to change, and the quality of light is superior. Because of the low-voltage system and low-temperature operation of the LEDs in general, safety on the site is also improved dramatically.