Ecoscraps

About 3 million twinkling, high-efficiency, quarter-watt LED bulbs are now greeting visitors to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, nestled at the doorstep of the spectacular Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gatlinburg welcomes over 11 million visitors a year.

The City of Gatlinburg’s commitment to convert the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Celebration lights program to 100 percent LED bulbs during 2008 has paid off in immediate and significant savings of electricity (not to mention reducing the City’s carbon dioxide emissions). LED lights use as much as 75 percent less energy, last ten times longer, produce (i.e., waste) almost no heat, and are more durable than glass bulbs. The City — like millions of Americans — have discovered that going green with LED lighting saves green and helps preserve the environment.  As I write about in ECOpreneuring, the “greentech” or clean tech sector, of which LED lighting is but one such technology, is booming.

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“Through this first season of the 100 percent LED conversion of the program, we have shaved over $52,000 off our electric bills in comparison to three years ago, when the city’s winter lights program included all incandescent bulbs,” said City Manager Cindy Cameron Ogle.

The cost to the City of Gatlinburg of converting existing displays to LED is estimated to have been about $180,000. Director of Tourism David Perella said the return on the investment should be regained in about four years, with savings in labor costs to maintain and replace the lights also saving Gatlinburg considerable expense.

Photography: John D. Ivanko/www.ecopreneuring.biz

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