City converting outdated fixtures to energy-efficient LEDs

City officials say Sterling Heights will save approximately $22,538 per year by converting 206 lighting fixtures in three subdivisions to LED technology. "This conversion process yields significant energy and environmental savings because the old technology - mercury vapor and high-pressure sodium fixtures - contain mercury, use significantly more energy and require more frequent replacement than LEDs," said City Development Manager Denice Gerstenberg. According to Gerstenberg, Sterling Heights currently has an inventory of approximately 2,500 mercury vapor and high-pressure sodium fixtures in need of conversion.