Santa Cruz Library

Santa Cruz, California
The Science and Engineering Library is one of two libraries that serve over 16,000 students on the beautiful campus of UC Santa Cruz. Faced with time constraints and the high cost of conventional wired technologies, the energy group chose to use Leviton’s energy harvesting wireless technologies to achieve their energy goals. LevNet RF receivers paired to wireless occupancy sensors and light sensors contributed to the energy retrofit of the existing fluorescent fixtures from T12 to T8 and saved an actual 50% of energy consumption in the facility—an anticipated $48,000 energy cost savings annually. 

The Customer

UC Santa Cruz is one of many of the campuses that make up the University of California’s group of colleges. The Science & Engineering Library houses science and engineering book collections as well as the East Asian Collection, Map Room and Video Gaming Lab. 

The Challenge
Existing lighting was fully activated in the morning and remained on until the cleaning staff left almost 20 hours later. Daily occupancy varied and did not follow a reliable pattern. 

The Solution
After much analysis the Leviton sales team identified the advantages of using wireless technologies over conventional wired technologies. A test installation met with positive results and gave way to a full implementation throughout the library. 

All perimeter lighting fixtures adjacent to windows are controlled by a wireless light sensor that does not allow the lighting to be activated when there is an abundance of ambient lighting. All general use lighting is controlled by LevNet RF wireless occupancy sensors, which force the lighting to the lowest level when the spaces are vacant. The existing library utilizes bi-level switching to alternate between levels. This equalizes lamp life and drastically reduces energy use. 

The Results
As part of an energy rebate incentive, all existing T12 linear fluorescent fixtures were replaced with a T8 system. An additional incentive was given for the occupancy and light sensors. The facility’s actual electricity consumption has been reduced by 50%. 

For More Information
To learn more about the wide range of Leviton’s lighting control and energy management solutions, please visit www.leviton.com/lms or call 503-404-5555.