BETHEL — Early in 2013, Gould Academy CEO Peter Rackliffe and Facilities Manager Jerry Bernier discussed their options for replacing the old, failing, dimming panel in Ordway Dining Hall.

Rackliffe, who has since retired, and Bernier decided that rather than just replace the old system, it would be prudent to consider a system upgrade.

Several sources recommended Optimal Energy Group LLC to take light measurements and design a new lighting system. Gould engaged Optimal to address opportunities for energy efficiency at Ordway Hall, the academy’s largest energy consuming facility. The academy’s cafeteria is in the building.

The results of the project met Gould’s objectives of effectiveness, aesthetics, reliability/safety, and maintenance costs by providing better lighting quality, improving aesthetics, reducing overall energy cost by 77 percent and reducing maintenance cost by replacing the old lighting with equipment that has a 10- or 20-fold greater life expectancy.

In addition to using more efficient and longer-lived LED lighting, the company installed an advanced computer-controlled system that automatically turns each set of lights on and off at the proper time. The system automatically dims the lights after the sun is up and brightens them again when the sun sets. The system can be manually overridden when needed.

Most of the labor and much of the equipment in the project came from Maine.

It is anticipated that the project will pay for itself through energy and maintenance savings in four years, Bernier said.

Gould and Optimal Energy intend to investigate other energy savings opportunities. Bernier said her next project will probably be to improve the heating efficiency of Ordway Hall.

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