Replacing Street Lights To LED

The Town of Apex Electric Utilities Department is replacing all current high-pressure sodium (HPS) streetlights to Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures and bulbs. Apex has over 6,700 streetlights throughout town, also extending into New Hill and parts of Cary. This phased program will last approximately two years.

Note: You may notice that the new street lights do not include side panels, and appear more 'open' than the old design. This helps reduce the maintenance on each light, as the acrylic side panels can break, and become discolored over time. 

Benefits LED Conversion Map Opens in new windowto Switching to LED Street Lights
LEDs require less power than HPS and other incandescent lights. The LEDs that are being installed in Apex are typically 3 to 5 times more efficient than the lights being replaced. This conversion will offer significant energy savings, increased reliability, and lights with extended longevity. Below are more benefits of using LED streetlight bulbs:

  • Lowered Maintenance Cost: LED bulbs last 2-3 times longer than HPS lights, requiring fewer trips up the pole to replace burnt-out lamps which equates to less maintenance and supply costs. Traditional high-pressure sodium lamps last up to 24,000 hours (about six years) and sodium lamps need to be replaced every three to four years to avoid failures. LEDs can last up to 70,000 hours (more than 15 years).
  • Increases Visibility: LED street lights provide more visibility, delivering improved vertical light distribution, reduced light "trespass" (both horizontally and vertically), excellent color qualities and clearer lighting.
  • Environmentally Friendly: LED lights use about half of the electricity of sodium lamps which reduces overall greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, there is no mercury used in the production of LED lights.
  • Energy Efficient: LED lights use less energy than traditional (HPS) lights.
  • Safety:  Improvements in light quality, illuminance, and uniformity will help aid drivers, pedestrians, and promote general public safety, as well as an overall improvement to roadway appeal.

Please direct any questions to the Electric Utilities Director, Eric Neumann at eric.neumann@apexnc.org