Duquesne University’s Gumberg Library Gets an Efficient Upgrade

Eaton Corp.’s Neo-Ray Index light-emitting diode (LED) luminaires are helping to improve the lighting performance while lowering energy usage in the Gumberg Library at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Recently completed on its first floor, this LED lighting upgrade will help the university reduce its annual energy consumption for the floor significantly, Eaton said.

“The first floor feels more vibrant and inviting,” says Kelley Cotter, marketing and electronic communications librarian at the Gumberg Library. “You can easily see the difference with the new, near-daylight LED lighting. The library staff has commented that since the lights were installed, they have noticed an increase in the volume of students studying on the first floor.”

Duquesne wanted a sustainable system with a contemporary style that also could be pendant-mounted in continuous rows, so the university chose the Neo-Ray Index direct/indirect LED pendants for the library, which houses nearly 750,000 print volumes and welcomed more than 510,000 visitors last year.

The Index luminaire features unique, adjustable optical panels and incorporates patented WaveStream LED technology to efficiently improve light quality and reduce total power consumption for indoor ambient applications. The product’s adjustable optical panels, available in 15 degrees, zero degrees and minus 15 degrees, allow the luminaire to be tuned precisely to the application and space, providing ultimate lighting control while visually enhancing any application. The pendant is available in multiple lengths, color temperatures, lumen packages and control options.

The lighting upgrade to the first floor study area and stacks included replacing a fluorescent system consisting of over 500 fixtures producing 37,160 watts. The new 110 Neo-Ray Index products consume only 5,170 watts, reducing the upgraded floor’s energy consumption by more than 235,300 kilowatt hours per year.

“The lighting upgrade is just one of the university’s award-winning, ongoing sustainability initiatives, which include an on-site cogeneration plant and ice storage units for most of the campus’ heating and cooling needs,” said Rod Dobish, executive director of facilities management, Duquesne. “Over many years, Duquesne has solidified its commitment to sustainability, following our strategic plan and the priorities of good stewardship of the environment.”