# Lighting one of the First Energy-Positive Schools – Cree

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/12/lighting-one-of-the-first-energy-positive-schools-cree/
- Published: 2019-12-04T02:06:40-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Energy efficiency continues to be a top priority for education facilities. Yet expensive
sustainable options have been historically difficult for [k-12 public schools](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/03/education-business-and-environmental-leaders-call-for-action-to-ensure-universal-sustainability-literacy-in-all-u-s-public-schools-by-2040/).
Especially to finance and achieve.

So thanks to innovations in energy efficient LED lighting technology and high-performance
innovations. All that meet standards for rebates and incentives, Sandy Grove Middle
School in Lumber Bridge, N.C. installed [Cree LED](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/05/how-led-lighting-helped-petro-store-save-68-percent-on-lifetime-energy/)
lighting to become the nation’s first net-positive-energy, LEED-platinum-designed,
leased public school in the country.

Notable features in the new bulbs include superior lifetimes, with most projected
to last 22+ years and some up to 32 years. Color rendition is improved, with smoother,
quieter dimming to levels as low as 1 percent. Cree’s market-leading “Candlelight
Dimming,” available in the new candelabra bulb, mimic’s a true candle flame with
a warmer 1800K color when dimmed.

Cree bulbs meet or surpass the requirements for ENERGY STAR® product certification
and are covered by a 10 year 100 percent satisfaction guarantee – one of the strongest
warranties in the industry. The new bulb portfolio includes new A-lamps, BR lamps,
PAR lamps and Candelabra lamps, as well as a new series of recessed downlight retrofit
products.

Also, [Cree LED](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/10/turning-a-green-choice-into-a-healthy-choice-with-cree-led/)
bulbs are available this month, online and in-store, at The Home Depot®. Please 
visit [http://creebulb.com](https://creebulb.com) to learn more.

[⌊ Lighting one of the First Energy-Positive Schools – Cree ⌉⌊ Lighting one of the
First Energy-Positive Schools – Cree ⌉[

Cree, along with developer Firstfloor and designer SfL+a Architects, helped the 
school save 55 percent on energy usage. Thereby adding into the school’s complete
savings of an expected $16 million on its energy bills. That’s over the life of 
the building.

This is the beginning of net positive institutions using LED lighting technology.
As well as a worldwide shift to energy-efficient lighting. Because it’s lowering
electricity demand by more than 1,000 [terawatt-hours](https://web.archive.org/web/20150930111300/http://www.unep.org/NEWSCENTRE/default.aspx?DocumentId=2812&ArticleId=11067)
and reducing CO2 emissions by 530 million tons annually.

Consequently all due to the decreased energy need to power the same light output.
That’s without adding additional heat, benefiting other systems such as HVAC.

#### 󠀁[⌊Cree LED Lighting one of the First Energy-Positive Schools – Cree ⌉⌊Cree LED Lighting one of the First Energy-Positive Schools – Cree ⌉󠀁[

Source: [Cree](https://www.creelighting.com/applications/case-studies/sandy-grove-middle-school)
with paid permission in partnership for [#CreateWithCree](https://mobile.twitter.com/#CreateWithCree)

## Comments

### By: Karl Vergarin

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/12/lighting-one-of-the-first-energy-positive-schools-cree/#comment-21336
- Published: 2015-07-31T22:03:29-04:00

One of the easiest ways to save energy on lighting is to NOT OVER-LIGHT commercial
spaces, which tend to be significantly over-lit with fluorescent lighting.