Comments on: California Cities Lead Nation in Reducing Emissions from Streetlights http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/10/15/california-cities-lead-nation-in-reducing-emissions-from-streetlights/ Covering San Francisco's livable streets movement Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:38:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: jass http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/10/15/california-cities-lead-nation-in-reducing-emissions-from-streetlights/comment-page-1/#comment-45701 jass Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:10:43 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=64141#comment-45701 While it's a good effort, sodium lights are actually pretty efficient and dont use much electricty, which is why theyve been used even though florescent lighting gives off a better light (theyre the most efficient light source besides LED) If theres only a set amount of money, Id prefer efforts be focused on getting consumers to switch to compact florescent (and then in 5-10 years to LED). Thats where the big electricity usage is. While it’s a good effort, sodium lights are actually pretty efficient and dont use much electricty, which is why theyve been used even though florescent lighting gives off a better light (theyre the most efficient light source besides LED)

If theres only a set amount of money, Id prefer efforts be focused on getting consumers to switch to compact florescent (and then in 5-10 years to LED). Thats where the big electricity usage is.

]]> By: Winston http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/10/15/california-cities-lead-nation-in-reducing-emissions-from-streetlights/comment-page-1/#comment-45501 Winston Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:35:58 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=64141#comment-45501 One advantage of those ugly orange lights is that because they were truly monochromatic it was very easy for the folks at the Mt. Hamilton observatory to filter out the light pollution form San Jose. Moving to LEDs will make Mt. Hamilton a much less effective observatory, but perhaps this is a worthwhile sacrifice for a better nighttime streetscape. One advantage of those ugly orange lights is that because they were truly monochromatic it was very easy for the folks at the Mt. Hamilton observatory to filter out the light pollution form San Jose. Moving to LEDs will make Mt. Hamilton a much less effective observatory, but perhaps this is a worthwhile sacrifice for a better nighttime streetscape.

]]> By: John Hamilton http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/10/15/california-cities-lead-nation-in-reducing-emissions-from-streetlights/comment-page-1/#comment-45471 John Hamilton Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:07:31 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=64141#comment-45471 I think the aesthetics alone make a switch to LED lighting very attractive. There's something highly unpleasant about the monochromatic orange-yellow glow of sodium lamps. I remember, as a youngster, street lamps were different, with a more incandescent, wider-spectrum look. Seemingly overnight, sodium lamps took hold, and all of our urban (and suburban) spaces took on a miserable monotonous uniformity. Sure, they were an improvement in energy consumption--I can't fault that!--but they really seem to suck the variety out of our nighttime experiences. I say, bring on the LEDs! I think the aesthetics alone make a switch to LED lighting very attractive. There’s something highly unpleasant about the monochromatic orange-yellow glow of sodium lamps. I remember, as a youngster, street lamps were different, with a more incandescent, wider-spectrum look.

Seemingly overnight, sodium lamps took hold, and all of our urban (and suburban) spaces took on a miserable monotonous uniformity. Sure, they were an improvement in energy consumption–I can’t fault that!–but they really seem to suck the variety out of our nighttime experiences.

I say, bring on the LEDs!

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