LEDs in Action

http://www.worshipfacilities.com/go.php/editorial/12934

Congregation Nevah Shalom

Portland, OR

One of the first synagogues in the Portland, Oregon area to incorporate green building principles in a renovation and new building, Congregation Nevah Shalom received LEED Silver Certification when the 18,000 square foot addition and renovations to the existing facility were completed.

Site work for the congregation included bringing the parking lot up into conformance by adding sidewalks, landscape islands, and providing bicycle parking to the staff, as well as visitors. Ninety-five percent of the construction materials were reused on other areas of the renovations or were recycled. Additionally, the synagogue added exterior LED luminaires in the parking lot, which replaced 400 W sodium vapor lights. A Business Energy Tax Credit and incentives from Energy Trust of Oregon helped the congregation purchase these luminaires.

“We are saving an astounding 79 percent in energy consumption with the new LED luminaires, and there isn’t any light spill into the neighboring residences,” said Steve Kruss, Nevah Shalom member and lighting consultant. “The congregants are so pleased with the reduced operating and maintenance costs, and better light quality that we are looking to install additional LED parking lot lights and new LED walkway fixtures.”