Fort Worth Independent School District

Litetronics Helps Fort Worth ISD Gym Score Big Points for Efficiency

Project Summary

Fort Worth ISD’s competition gym is used for a wide variety of high school sports. To keep the game going and the players safe, consistent and high-quality lighting is a must.

But when outdated metal halide lighting threatened to stop the games, Fort Worth ISD turned to Litetronics for an energy-efficient LED system.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Fort Worth ISD’s basketball arena faced significant challenges with its existing lighting system. The 54 metal halide fixtures, mounted 40 feet above the gym floor, were becoming increasingly inefficient, with their light output depreciating after about two years.

To meet University Interscholastic League requirement of 50 foot-candles, they needed frequent changing, but at a mounting height of 40-feet, it was a tall order. Worse, the fixtures took anywhere from 8 to 12 minutes to restart after being turned off, or a loss of normal power.

A power glitch or accidental flip of a circuit breaker could bring a basketball game to a grinding halt — and for a long time.

The high energy costs and frequent maintenance needs were frustrating staff. The school district needed a solution that would enhance lighting quality, reduce energy consumption, and simplify maintenance, all while meeting the UIL’s requirements.

THE SOLUTION

Litetronics conducted a photometric study of the gym and recommended replacing the outdated 400-watt metal halide fixtures with high-output 2×2 LED panels.

These panels produce over 36,000 lumens compared to the 24,000 lumens from the metal halide lamps. And unlike halide lamps, the LED panels can illuminate instantly, eliminating the long warm-up time of the old fixtures.

In total, 21 LED panels were installed, reducing the number of fixtures by more than half — while cutting energy consumption by over 50%.

THE RESULTS

The switch to Litetronics’ LED fixtures brought big improvements to Fort Worth ISD’s basketball arena, including:

Improved Lighting Quality: The LED panels maintain consistent light levels, meeting UIL standards and ensuring a high-quality game experience.

Energy Efficiency: The facility’s lighting energy consumption was cut by over 50%, while reducing the number of fixtures by the same amount.

Operational Flexibility: The instant-on feature of the LED panels allows for seamless transitions during events, a noticeable (and greatly appreciated!) improvement over the previous system’s 8- to 12-minute warm-up time.

Maintenance Savings: With a lifespan of approximately 100,000 hours, the LED panels require far less maintenance, eliminating the frequent bulb replacements that plagued the old system.

“The transition to Litetronics’ LED panels has been a game-changer for Fort Worth ISD’s basketball arena. Not only have we slashed their energy consumption by more than half, but the quality of light has vastly improved, meeting all the required standards with ease. The instant-on feature has added a new level of flexibility for their events, and the reduced maintenance needs are a huge relief for their team.”

– Jerry Cassel, MIES, Litetronics International

In partnership with Eddie Hickman of NexGen Lighting Solutions, Carrollton, Texas, the Litetronics LEDs not only improved the lighting quality in the gym but also reduced operational costs and enhanced the facility’s ability to host various events. That means more uninterrupted games for students and less inconvenient maintenance for staff. And because the new lights exceed the UIL regulations, it’s a winning play for everyone involved.

Want to see them for yourself? 

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