Overview
The City of Medicine Hat pursued an LED lighting upgrade across 12 municipal facilities as part of its commitment to sustainability, operational efficiency, and fiscal responsibility. City leaders recognized this project as an opportunity to modernize their public and operations buildings while simultaneously reducing utility expenses and environmental impact. LED technology offered the promise of significant energy savings, longer-lasting fixtures, and lower maintenance requirements compared to the existing lighting systems.
Approach
City staff replaced outdated lighting infrastructure—including metal halide, high pressure sodium, and fluorescent fixtures—with energy-efficient LED technology. By evaluating the age, condition, and energy use of each fixture, they focused their upgrades on those with the highest power consumption and those nearing the end of their operational lifespan. The lighting upgrades occurred at the following 12 facilities:
- Big Marble Go Centre
- City Hall
- Co-op Place
- Environmental Utilities Brier Park
- Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre
- Fleet/Transit
- Medicine Hat Regional Airport
- 364 Kipling Street SE
- Kinplex
- Kiwanis Centre
- Medicine Hat Police Service
- Solid Waste on 16 Street SW
The project was initiated in 2024 with installs completed during the first half of 2025.
Results
Energy Conservation and Cost Savings
- The transition to LED fixtures delivered substantial energy savings across 12 municipal sites. Energy consumption was noticeably reduced, offsetting a significant percentage of each facility’s overall electrical load.
- The reduction in electricity use translated directly to decreased operating costs. These savings free up municipal funds for reinvestment in other community priorities.
- The project reduced electrical demand by approximately 190 kW, leading to further savings on demand charges. For example, at Co-op Place, parking lot lighting upgrades replaced 320-watt lamps with even brighter 85-watt alternatives, highlighting the efficiency improvements achieved.
- On average, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 4.2% across facilities, with individual buildings seeing reductions ranging from 33% to as high as 88% compared to the old lighting systems.
Unexpected Brightness and Operational Adjustments
- Upon installation, the LED lights provided illumination levels greater than initially anticipated, surpassing the brightness of the previous fluorescent systems. This enhanced lighting made many spaces more functional and inviting for both staff and visitors.
- This increased brightness prompted a process known as de-lamping, where fixtures or bulbs were removed to achieve optimum lighting conditions and prevent over-illumination, leading to additional savings.
Efficient Use of Project Resources
- The de-lamping process resulted in a surplus of LED bulbs and fixtures. Leading the City to proactively store the extra LEDs as replacement stock, ensuring a ready supply for future maintenance and upkeep.
- This strategic approach minimized waste, maximized the value of the original investment, and further future-proofed the lighting systems for years to come.
Environmental Stewardship
- All retired fluorescent fixtures and bulbs were responsibly recycled, minimizing environmental impact.
- In total, the project resulted in the replacement of 2,357 fixtures and an additional 883 fluorescent tubes throughout the 12 facilities.
“We are grateful to the MCCAC for their support towards energy improvements at our municipality. With their help, we’re reducing our impact on the environment and seeing meaningful cost savings at the same time.”
Kevin Schaaf, Superintendent of Facilities Project Management
“Medicine Hat’s comprehensive lighting retrofit activities demonstrate how bundling energy efficiency upgrades can have a positive impact. We’re pleased and impressed with how the City leveraged the Community Energy Conservation program.”
Trina Innes, Executive Director of the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre
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