Production

Where to start

JOIN THE PRODUCTION COMMITTEE

The Production Committee of the Broadway Green Alliance is an excellent resource for incorporating greening initiatives into the production of running shows. The committee is composed of cast and crew members working on stage or backstage, who meet monthly to discuss ongoing initiatives.

The committee’s major initiatives include:

  • Green Captain Program : The BGA identifies a “Green Captain” at every running show to help implement greener practices during production, and engage cast and crew members in these initiatives. In the 2011-12 season, every Broadway show had a Green Captain, ranging from star cast members to production staff. Green Captains meet quarterly to discuss better practices and share ideas and challenges.
  • Binder Project : The BGA office has a binder exchange, where used binders are dropped off for reuse by others.
  • Collection Drives : The BGA hosts two textile drives and two electronic waste collection drives each year.

Contact green@broadway.org for more information.

GREEN SHOW POLICY

It is essential to involve the cast and crew to ensure the success of your production’s environmental efforts. Two places to start are: (1) Developing and communicating a green show policy about your show’s environmental goals from the start of your production, and (2) electing a “Green Captain” from your cast or crew as described below.

Consider implementing your own environmental policy using the sample policy below. Also consult Julie’s Bicycle Environmental Policy and Action Guidelines (PDF) for additional guidance on creating an environmental policy and action plan.

GREEN CAPTAINS

An important first step in this process is to elect a “Green Captain” from your cast or crew to help manage the green efforts on your production. Talk to your cast and crew about electing a Green Captain for the show. See the Green Captains section of the BGA website for more information. Nearly every show on Broadway currently has a Green Captain.

SAMPLE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Human activity can have harmful effects on ecological systems and public health by contributing to serious environmental concerns such as deforestation, global warming, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. Recognizing this, [our production] is committed to reducing our environmental footprint and promoting environmental stewardship at all stages of our production.

Our goal is to operate a world-class entertainment business and to provide an exciting experience for theatregoers while minimizing our organization’s impact on the environment. This helps to preserve the ability of future generations to safely live and perform in our shared natural environment.

[Our production] will strive to identify and purchase environmentally preferable supplies and services for all productions and events where economically feasible. Wherever possible, [our production] will strive to minimize pollution and waste, conserve energy and water, protect habitats, support renewable energy resources, buy environmentally friendly products, and encourage environmentally preferable transportation.

Cast & Crew

ENERGY-EFFICIENT PRACTICES

There are a number of ways your production can improve the energy efficiency of the theatre, offices, dressing rooms, and other backstage areas. For more information about greener office practices, see the Green Office section of this guide. For an additional list of energy efficiency tips, visit NRDC’s Energy Efficiency page.

LIGHTING

Use energy efficient lighting like CFLs and LEDs throughout the space wherever possible, and consider installing motion sensors in backstage and storage areas that are not frequently occupied.

In rooms without motion-sensor lighting, post notices by all light switches (especially in bathrooms) reminding people to turn off the lights when leaving the room.

Use the U.S. EPA’s free online Energy Star calculator to calculate savings from energy efficient lighting .

APPLIANCES

Use power strips in offices, rehearsal rooms, and other backstage areas to avoid wasting energy when appliances aren’t in use. Remind cast and crew to turn off all computers, printers, sound systems, and any other electronic equipment at the end of the day. Even when you think equipment is off, the “standby” consumption might be equivalent to that of a 75 or 100 watt light bulb running continuously.

During the day, activate energy saving features on computers such as turning off screen savers, which use more energy than just leaving the computer on.

Use only the air conditioning that you need for rehearsal, and make sure any air conditioning units are turned off at the end of the day.

When purchasing new energy-consuming products for the theatre space, consider buying the most energy-efficient model that fits your needs. Visit the federal government’s Energy Star products database for listings of the most energy-efficient products on the market, from computers and televisions to boilers and central air conditioning units. For product categories that are not rated by Energy Star, consult the Federal Energy Management Program’s procurement guide . Look for energy-saving features such as programmability and power-saving functions.

Also consider including Energy Star and energy efficiency specifications in requests for proposal and contracts. Contract language examples and additional product specifications can be found at EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Database .

Use the U.S. EPA’s free online Energy Star calculator to calculate savings from energy-efficient products .

DRESSING ROOMS

Use power strips, and post signs in dressing rooms reminding cast members to turn off lights, air conditioning, and electronics when they are not in use. Encourage staff to unplug electronics, like hair dryers and fans, when they’re not in use.

Consider switching incandescent bulbs in dressing rooms to more energy-efficient bulbs that use less energy and don’t give off as much heat. This can also greatly increase the comfort of cast members. For instance, cold cathode bulbs not only use less energy and generate significantly less heat than incandescent bulbs, but also last longer, have dimming capabilities, and provide excellent color matching. There are a range of energy-efficient CFLs now available in a variety of shades that can meet your aesthetic needs as well. Use the U.S. EPA’s Energy Star website to find the most energy-efficient bulbs that are the right temperature for your dressing rooms.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Energy use is one of the largest environmental impacts in any facility and also one of the highest operational costs. Most energy consumed in the United States comes from coal, which contributes significantly to man-made global warming and also to smog, soot, and numerous negative health conditions. In addition, coal mining – especially surface mining and mountaintop removal – is devastating many of the world’s most ecologically important landscapes and ecosystems.

Reducing energy use can have a positive impact on all of these issues and reduce energy costs. EPA’s Energy Star program rates electronic products on energy use and grants their seal to those products that meet their standards.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING

There are many ways your production can cut down on waste, promote recycling and composting programs, and find ways to reuse items.

The best way to cut down your waste stream and minimize waste costs is to reduce the amount of materials you need to discard. Minimize waste generation by avoiding unnecessary packaging and paper use, reducing the amount of disposable products your production uses, and reusing materials.

For example, by reusing signs and banners, your show can avoid unnecessary printing costs, waste hauling costs, and the environmental impacts of printing. Consider designing banners so that they can be easily reused, by avoiding listing dates or ensuring that the portions listing dates can be readily and cheaply altered. Also consider producing signs from more durable materials, and ensure that these materials are ultimately recyclable. While they may cost more initially, they can save money in the long run. Try to avoid purchasing banners made from PVC (vinyl), which is associated with toxic emissions in production, use, and disposal.

Reducing paper use can also considerably cut down on waste and purchasing costs. See the Paper Use Reduction section for more information.

REUSABLE BOTTLES AND MUGS

Instead of providing bottled water backstage, supply reusable bottles and water fountains or filtered tap water stations for cast and crew. At minimum, supply water from bulk containers like water coolers that use refillable water jugs. Consider branding bottles and coffee mugs with your show logo and giving them out during the first rehearsal. Make sure that cast and crew know where bottles and mugs are stored and where they can be washed. Consider providing labels to help staff identify their items. Discourage staff from purchasing or requesting single-serving bottles of water whenever possible.

For information on water filters, visit the website of the National Sanitation Foundation International , which provides listings of NSF Certified Drinking Water Treatment Units.

RECYCLING AND COMPOSTING PROGRAMS AT THE VENUE

Work with venue staff to learn about what items are recycled in the building and how they should be sorted. Explain mandatory recycling policies to all cast and crew. Clearly mark recycling bins with pictures of the items they accept, make sure they are in convenient locations, and point them out during initial backstage tours. If the venue has a composting program, explain mandatory composting policies to all cast and crew, identify clearly marked composting bins, and ensure they are used correctly by production staff members.

Consider using NRDC’s Paper Recycling Signage (PDF) as a model for your paper recycling signs.

BACKSTAGE COLLECTIONS AND BGA RECYCLING PROGRAMS

Many shows have instituted backstage collection programs for a variety of items that are collected by the BGA for reuse or recycling, such as corks, printer cartridges, bottle caps, batteries, textiles, food packaging, and writing instruments. Green Captains should set up collection containers backstage for these items, making sure to label containers clearly and place in accessible locations. Relay collection locations to relevant cast and crew members and place reminders on callboards and/or common areas. Visit the BGA's wesbite for information about items collected and drop-off locations. The BGA Office also hosts a Binder Project for shows to exchange used binders, and hosts biannual Textile and Electronic Waste Collection Drives .

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Recycling is one of the easiest and most widely accepted activities used to advance sustainability. Setting up a recycling program is relatively simple and a great way to involve cast and crew at all levels in your production’s environmental priorities. Recycling protects habitat, and saves energy, water, and resources such as forests, fossil fuels, and metals.

By recycling paper, cardboard, metals, and plastics, you can help reduce the harmful impacts associated with the extraction and processing of these resources, including oil spills, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water pollution. Manufacturing products from recycled content is less polluting than producing the same products from newly harvested or extracted materials. Making paper from recycled fibers, for example, uses less energy, less water, and produces less air and water pollution than making paper from trees.

The production and consumption of bottled water has significant> environmental impacts: Hazardous air pollutants are produced during the nonrenewable, fossil fuel-derived manufacture of plastic bottles; the transportation of these bottles consumes a significant amount of energy; and in the United States, an estimated 75 percent of these bottles are thrown in the trash instead of being recycled. Encouraging the use of reusable water bottles and filling stations instead of bottled water helps reduce all of these impacts.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

PAPER USE REDUCTION

Rethinking the way your show buys and uses paper can help trim the bottom line and generate positive publicity. Follow the tips below to reduce your production’s paper use and generate awareness about your production’s greener practices.

PAPERWORK AND COMMUNICATIONS

  • Remind colleagues, company members and outside parties that they will receive their notices by email instead of hard copies, unless specifically requested.
  • Subject to your organization’s email policies, use email instead of paper memos or faxes whenever practical to distribute agendas, newsletters, audition information, scripts, meeting materials, etc.
  • Ensure the company’s paperwork has been printed on either postconsumer recycled content paper or reused scrap paper, and print on both sides where possible. Educate staff about these protocols.
  • Avoid printing emails and attached documents wherever possible. Add the words “save a tree, don’t print me” (or a similar statement) in your organization’s standard email signature.
  • Print less: keep mailing lists current, and don’t overprint copies or outside print jobs.
  • Reuse what you can. Stock your fax machine with paper already printed on one side, reuse oversize envelopes and boxes, and use one-sided “draft” paper in your printers.
  • Encourage the company to recycle their payroll envelopes – offer a place for company members to return their envelopes to company management.
  • Use both sides of the paper on spiral notebooks or legal pads.

PROGRAMS AND INSERTS

  • Keep minimal advance storage of program inserts or print inserts on an as-needed basis.
  • If you must store inserts, print 6 per page instead of 4 per page.
  • If you can print your own stuffers, compile all listings on one half-sheet page.
  • Use old inserts and stuffers as note pads or scratch pads. Alternatively, consider donating your old suffers to the BGA. The BGA reuses them in scratch pads and sells them for a nominal amount to raise money for Broadway Cares.

SCRIPTS

  • Where possible, print scripts double-sided, and on recycled content paper.
  • If small changes are made, only reprint necessary pages instead of reprinting the entire script.
  • If scripts can’t be double-sided, reuse old drafts as scrap paper.

PRINTERS AND COPIERS

  • As printers and copiers need to be replaced, purchase units that can print on both sides of a sheet of paper. Then set all computers and copiers to default to double-sided printing.
  • Save and collect copier paper that’s been printed on one side, restack it neatly, designate a paper tray within each printer (or for as many printers as possible), and use it to print drafts.
  • Adjust the house style on word processing programs to use a slightly smaller font and slightly wider margins; use the electronic “edit” and “comment” features to work on drafts instead of printing and editing by hand.

GREEN ROOM AND REHEARSAL AREAS

  • Stock the green room areas with reusable mugs, plates, bowls and utensils to discourage the use of paper and plastic disposables. Consider cloth napkins or use paper napkins or towels with high postconsumer recycled content.
  • Encourage staff to use reusable bags and napkins for their lunches. Consider providing show-branded bags for staff to use.
  • Use post-consumer recycled content tissues in the rehearsal hall.

For more information on paper purchasing and paper recycling, see the Paper Purchasing and Recycling sections of this guide.

For a useful discussion of waste reduction, see the U.S. EPA’s Resource Conservation section on reduction and reuse.

Use the Environmental Paper Network’s free online Paper Calculator to calculate the environmental benefits of recycled paper and publicize these benefits to staff and theatregoers.

Case Study: Wicked

“Wicked” saves approximately $5,000 per month (and $60,000 each year) by printing program stuffers in-house instead of ordering them in advance in bulk. Wicked purchased an industrial paper cutter and rents a high-speed copier each month to print in-house on 100 percent recycled content paper. Printing in-house allows the show to print based only on what they need and include last minute cast changes instead of overestimating amounts for bulk advance orders. Access to a high-speed copier allows the show to generate scripts and scores on demand in-house as well, which even saves the production even more money.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

GETTING TO WORK

BIKING AND WALKING

By encouraging your cast and crew to walk or bike to work, your production can help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, which benefits the environment, the health of your community, and the health of theatregoers, cast, and crew members. Bicycling also helps encourage your cast and crew to lead a healthier lifestyle with additional exercise.

Tips to promote bicycling:

  • Ask the theatre to provide free, secure, and conveniently located bicycle racks.
  • Ask the theatre to provide shower facilities and lockers for staff who bike there.
  • Ask the theatre to provide safe pedestrian walkways to the facility from nearby transit options.
  • Explain bicycling options in theatre staff orientation and show first calls.
  • Prominently display and distribute pedestrian and bike maps in common areas, on callboards, and in online bulletins.
  • Offer incentives for walking and biking to the venue.
  • Arrange discounts at local bicycling shops or bike sharing programs for staff.
  • Disseminate information concerning bike routes and bicycle-friendly public transportation connections to theatre staff, cast, and crew members via internal websites or newsletters.
  • Encourage staff cycling groups and events to promote organization-wide embrace of biking.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Public transportation is often cheaper than travel by car, and increased use of buses, trains, and subways reduces the need for onsite staff or guest parking facilities. Review the ideas and resources below for more information on how encourage production and theatre staff to commute by public transportation.

Tips to encourage public transit:

  • Pay or subsidize the cost of employee public transportation passes.
  • Provide other incentives for employees who take public transportation wherever possible.
  • Enter riders of public transportation into show raffles, which can provide opportunities for sponsor involvement.
  • Provide information on your website and in publicity materials on public transit options, including park and ride sites.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CARPOOLS

Carpooling can save your employees money by reducing the amount of gas they buy and money they spend on auto-related upkeep. It also has significant environmental benefits, reducing the emission of harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. Consider the tips and resources below for information on how to increase carpooling to your production.

Carpooling tips

  • Provide discounted and preferential parking for staff who carpool.
  • Actively match employees with those who live nearby.
  • Circulate tips for effective and enjoyable carpools on your internal website and in newsletters, and use to coordinate carpooling.
  • Offer other incentives for carpoolers.
  • Use your organization’s internal website and/or theatre bulletin boards to coordinate carpooling or recommend another existing carpooling website to help employees efficiently organize a regular carpool in their area.

INCENTIVES FOR HYBRIDS/ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Hybrid and electric vehicles can save money and reduce emissions of harmful gasses such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Consider providing preferential and/or discounted parking for cast and crew who commute in a hybrid or electric vehicle.

Also consider working with sponsors or local businesses to partner on other incentives for cast and crew who drive hybrid and electric vehicles. You may also want to consider installing electric charging stations at your venue for employees with plug-in vehicles. Even better, partner with sponsors to install solar systems to power electric-charging stations.

There are also state and federal incentives, tax credits, and insurance discounts available for hybrid drivers. Visit the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Hybrid Center and the US Department of Energy’s Fuel Efficient Vehicle Tax Incentive Information Center for a list of state and federal hybrid incentives.

For more information on environmentally preferable vehicles, visit NRDC: Grasping Green Car Technology , the U.S. EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide , and Fueleconomy.gov .

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

The transportation sector is one of the main sources of smog, carbon monoxide, global warming, and harmful particles that can cause respiratory illnesses and other health problems. Walking and bicycling helps reduce all of these impacts, saves money, and is a healthy way to begin and end the day. Carpooling and using public transportation reduces the total amount of cars on the road, which in turn reduces the many forms of pollution associated with the transportation sector.

In addition, many forms of public transportation use environmentally preferable fuels such as natural gas, electricity, and fuel cells. Using public transportation therefore reduces the transportation sector’s emissions of harmful compounds such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulates. This reduces emissions that can cause smog, global warming, acid rain, and negative health effects.

Wardrobe

LAUNDRY AND MAINTENANCE

Invest in an ENERGY STAR washer , which on average uses 20 percent less energy and 35 percent less water than basic models of new washers on the market. An ENERGY STAR washer saves approximately 284 kWh of electricity and 3,385 gallons of water a year compared with a non-ENERGY STAR model.

For more information, please see the NRDC’s, Saving Water and Energy through Clothes Washer Replacement .

By purposely selecting fabrics for costumes that are more durable and easily cleaned, your costume designs can help reduce toxic cleaning procedures.

  • Favor materials that can be water-washed rather than ones that require dry cleaning to help minimize the use of toxic cleaning chemicals. See the Wardrobe section for more information about toxic chemicals involved in dry cleaning.
  • Minimize the use of bleaches and dyes and choose non-toxic products to the extent feasible.
  • Avoid very delicate materials, such as silk, that will break down quickly and need to be replaced. Favor more durable blends and smart textiles that will last longer.

Laundry Tips

  • Wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible. New cleaning agents found in many high-efficiency detergents perform just as well or even better in cold water.
  • Turn down the thermostat on your water heater to 120°F. Most water heaters are set at 140°F when 120°F is sufficiently hot for most household needs.
  • Wait until you have a full load before washing. If washing a smaller load, adjust the water level setting appropriately.
  • Don't use the "sanitary cycle" setting on your washer unless absolutely necessary. This cycle, which heats water to higher temperatures, uses significantly more energy.
  • To save energy, money and extend the life of your clothes, line-dry them. But if you intend to use a dryer, use the "high spin speed" or "extended spin" washing option to remove excess moisture from your clothes. This will reduce the amount of time and energy needed to dry your clothes in the dryer.
  • Consider installing a laundry-to-landscape gray water system, which uses gray water from your clothes washer instead of potable water to irrigate your yard.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

REUSE AND DONATION

The Theatre Development Fund’s Costume Collection program will pick up any usable costumes or costume pieces from closing shows, and provides discounted rentals to nonprofit theatres.

Material for the Arts accepts donations of costumes, fabrics, trim, and other accessories. Shows can either drop off donations at their Long Island City warehouse, or donations over 250 pounds and/or over $1000 in value will qualify for a free pickup. Pickups should be scheduled 3-4 weeks in advance. Donations can also be shipped. Contact them at donations@mfta.nyc.gov or call 718-729-2065.

Wearable Collections has many drop-off locations throughout New York, including a collection barrel at the BGA office, Actors’ Federal Credit Union, and Local 764 Wardrobe Union year-round. The BGA also hosts semi-annual textile drives in Times Square (March and September) to collect used costumes, clothing, accessories (such as shoes, handbags, belts, and hats), curtains, linens, towels, and other textiles for reuse and recycling by Wearable Collections.

Sound

RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

Using rechargeable batteries can save money, reduce waste, and reduce the use of hazardous materials. Consider switching to rechargeable batteries in wireless microphones and other equipment requiring the use of batteries. Include rechargeable batteries and charging sleds in bids wherever possible.

Case Study: Wicked

“Wicked” switched from using disposable alkaline batteries to nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeables in all of their wireless microphones. They alternate between two sets of rechargeables to allow sufficient time for recharging. These two sets of batteries last the production ten months on average, at which point they are recycled. The previous disposable alkaline batteries required 38 AA batteries per show, resulting in the purchase and disposal of 15,808 batteries each year. Switching to rechargeable batteries cut this down to 96 NiMH batteries each year, saving more than $22,000 over five years. The rechargeable batteries are also mercury-free, cadmium-free and lead-free. They are in compliance with the European Union’s RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) standard for electrical and electronic equipment.

BATTERY RECYCLING

Whether your production is using rechargeable batteries or not, all batteries should be collected for recycling. Work with your show’s Green Captain to set up bins in convenient and clearly marked locations to collect used batteries for recycling. If your show uses both disposable and rechargeable batteries, be sure to include separate collection bins for each type of batteries.

Consult the Electronic Waste section below for information about responsible battery recycling. The BGA operates a collection bin for both re-chargeable (recycled through Call 2 Recycle) and regular (recycled through 4th Bin) batteries at their office.

ELECTRONIC WASTE

When batteries, computers, and other potentially hazardous electronic wastes are improperly disposed, they can pose significant risks to public health and the environment.

Choose an e-Steward electronic waste recycler to ensure that your electronic waste is being properly recycled. By choosing an e-Stewards® Recycler , individuals and businesses are choosing the most trustworthy recyclers, ones that have been independently verified to handle e-waste in the most globally responsible way — using safe technologies and careful protections for workers.

Check with the e-Stewards Recyclers in your area about recycling your e-waste. For a list of e-Stewards Recyclers and more about e-Stewards Certification, see www.e-stewards.org .

e-Stewards Certification is the only marketplace solution supported by the environmental community and the most responsible electronics recycling companies. It was created to be both principled and practical, and it joins other best-practice certification programs such as those by the Marine Stewardship Council and Forest Stewardship Council, as the most protective standard and the most rigorous program for verifying recyclers are doing things right.

ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING COLLECTION DRIVES

The BGA hosts two e-waste recycling drives annually in Times Square to collect used electronics from Broadway shows and venues for recycling by an e-Stewards certified recycler. If you are unable to find your own e-Stewards certified electronics recycler, consider storing e-waste for donation to the next BGA e-waste Drive.

Giving away or selling used electronics are great ways to extend their use and keep them out of landfills. Some services provide second-hand computers to schools or nonprofits, so your functional old computer could become a valuable tool for someone in need. Please assure that an e-Stewards certified recycler is used by whomever you donate your used electronics to.

No matter where you take your e-waste—to collection events, recyclers, or take-back programs—you should be sure that 100% of the electronic equipment will go only to e-Stewards Recyclers. It’s the best way to protect the global ecosystem and human health when it comes to electronics recycling.

ELECTRIC

LIGHTING

By using more energy-efficient instruments and employing a holistic approach to lighting design, a production’s energy use can be significantly reduced. Theatrical lighting designers aiming to reduce the environmental footprint of their designs should be aware of the benefits and constraints of emerging lighting technology.

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The light sources you choose for your design will be a key factor in the environmental impact of the lighting rig. Review the following comparative metrics when considering instruments:

  • Lumens per watt / center beam candle power per watt: This metric, also called luminous efficacy, describes a light source’s efficiency: how much light is being generated by the instrument for each watt of electricity consumed. This metric can be calculated by dividing brightness in lumens or center beam candle power by the wattage of the instrument.
  • Quiescent load: This metric demonstrates how much power an instrument consumes when it is idle, or not producing light. Ask the manufacturer about the quiescent load if this metric is not provided. Typically, traditional moving lights and high-intensity discharge lamps (HIDs) will have a high quiescent load.
  • Rated source life: The lifespan of the light source (usually in hours), which can factor into maintenance and replacement costs.
  • Heat load: Since most theatrical lighting is mounted high above the playing space and closer to the HVAC system, higher heat output from the lighting rig means higher HVAC demand in the theatre. By evaluating the heat load of each instrument and choosing sources with lower heat output, the cumulative heat load of your lighting rig can be reduced, reducing HVAC needs in the theatre. (Heat load is generally a function of wattage and heat dissipation. The higher the wattage and the more static the heat dissipation, the higher the relative heat load.)

LEDs are rapidly being employed throughout the lighting industry and are increasingly being used in theatrical lighting. LED technology is consistently improving and dropping in price, resulting in the use of LED sources in more theatrical lighting designs—replacing tungsten/halogen sources in many common applications.

  • Significant reduction in electrical power consumption for light output (high lumens/watt). Generally, LEDs use 1/5 of the energy to produce the equivalent light output of a tungsten/halogen source. Generate very little radiant heat, which results in lower HVAC demand. If gels are used (with “white” LEDs), the lower temperature of the LED source would require fewer gel replacements over time (since gels fade as a result of heat).
  • Higher rated lifespan for both instruments and sources compared to tungsten/halogen or HIDs, reducing maintenance needs related to relamping. (The best extended lamp life of a halogen high performance lamp (HPL) is 2,000 hours vs. a typical rated life of an LED source at 25,000 hours.)
  • Color-changing instruments offer instantaneous color changing, averaging 16 million distinct colors. A single fixture can mix colors instantly, as opposed to using additive mixing of several light sources, or subtractive mixing which reduces light output. Color-changing instruments also eliminate the need for gels, reducing maintenance and costs.
  • Many manufacturers offer “dynamic white” LED instruments. These instruments are capable of shifting their tone of white along a wide range in the Kelvin scale, ranging from a warm 2800K to a cooler 5000K.

Check out the NRDC’s Guide to More Efficient and Money-Saving Light Bulbs .