To shed welcome new light on a longtime problem, Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y., installed LED Squash Lighting in its indoor squash courts.
For squash enthusiasts, courts with antiquated lighting can hamper players and pros alike—and many facilities for the game date back decades, or even a century or more. Rising utility costs caused by outdated technology are also putting a strain on the budgets of court facilities and clubs across the country.
To shed welcome new light on a longtime problem, veteran squash professional Lee Witham, who is Director of Squash at Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y., and also President of NortonLED, an LED sourcing company, recently formed LED Squash Lighting, to help offer a more energy-efficient and cost-effective lighting option for clubs that provide indoor racquet sports as amenities for members and guests.
THE GOAL: Cut high maintenance costs from constantly changing out fluorescent bulbs on the squash courts at Westchester Country Club, and install more consistent, temperature-controlled lighting with reduced glare. THE PLAN: Remove and replace a total of 85 lights on the squash courts with LED Squash Lighting at a cost of about $2,200 per court. THE PAYOFF: Savings of about $15,000 a year on electric consumption and a 40% rebate of $9,420 through Con Edison’s Utility Green Solutions rebate program. Member feedback has indicated “nothing but 100% satisfaction” with the change. |
The new LED lighting reduces glare and offers the closest possible approximation to daylight, Witham says. Using Samsung chips and Edge-Lit technology, the lighting eliminates glare and produces light uniformity throughout the court, he explains, giving the entire area a daylight feel.
The average traditional fluorescent fixture in a squash court is 200 watts, while an LED light is 50 watts. By changing to the LED lights, Witham estimates, a club can realize a 75% savings.
Proven Results
Westchester CC itself has served as a successful and prominent beta site for the technology, after it was installed last fall on its four international singles courts and one hardball doubles court. The project took one week to complete, and had minimal impact on squash play at the club. Planning took about two months.
Westchester CC is saving about $15,000 a year on electric consumption after replacing a total of 85 lights on the club’s squash courts, says Michael Calgi, the club’s Director of Engineering. All old fixtures were removed and replaced one-for-one with LED lights.
According to Witham, the LED fixtures cost about $2,200 per court, though installation costs can vary from site to site. Because his business is certified by the Design Lighting Consortium, facilities making the switch can earn rebates from the state, their utility or their electrical supply company.
The installation at Westchester CC was performed in conjunction with Con Edison’s Utility Green Solutions rebate program, from which the club received a 40% rebate of $9,420.
The lighting at Westchester is solid-state, Witham says, meaning there are no bulbs. “The fixture uses edge-lit technology, therefore eliminating any glare,” he says. “The technology is the same as what’s used to backlight LED TVs and smartphones. We expect the lighting to last 22 years without replacement or maintenance.”
In addition to energy-cost savings, a big driver of the switch to the LED lights for Westchester CC was the need to change out fluorescent bulbs every three to five months, which included hiring a scissor lift for the project.
The new lights also feature a polycarbonate exterior, which allow them to withstand impact from even the hardest-hit balls.
Another reason that clubs are moving to the LED lights, Witham says, relates to the enhanced environmental comfort that they provide to players, for all of their senses. In addition to the uniform lighting that provides the daylight-like feeling at all hours, he notes, “We have the ability to be very accurate with the light temperature. Also, the light is not overpowering, and the non-glare aspect was not available in the past.”
Many members now comment that the daylight feeling makes the space feel more expansive and clean, and they like how the new fixtures resemble skylights.
The change has also helped the club attract new tournaments, such as the New York State Squash Championships it recently hosted. And with the positive reaction to the LED switch, Witham says, the club is now extending the technology to other parts of its property. “We just completed the paddle courts, too,” Witham reports.
“Squash can be a very intense sport,” he adds. “But we’ve heard nothing but 100% satisfaction. Many members, in fact, have told us it’s helped to create a very calm environment.”
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