LED Lighting Retrofit at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL) is a critical U.S. military installation, hosting Air Force, Army, and Navy operations. To improve energy efficiency, enhance safety, and reduce maintenance costs, Ameresco engaged GreenTech Energy Services, Inc. to conduct a large-scale lighting retrofit across the base. The goal was to replace outdated lighting systems with state-of-the-art LED technology across more than 130 buildings and exterior infrastructure.

The scope of the JB MDL facility included in this project was:

• 133 buildings
• 4 aircraft hangars
• All base roadways and parking lots

GreenTech Energy completed a full-spectrum lighting upgrade on the facility, which included:

Interior Lighting:

• T8 lamps with electronic ballasts retrofitted with LED tubes and drivers
• T5 high-bay lamps replaced with high-output LED T5 lamps
• Biax and U-tube T8s replaced with LED magnetic retrofit kits
• T12 4’ lamps retrofitted with 1×4 LED wrap fixtures
• Single-lamp 4’ T12s replaced with LED Type C tubes
• 8’ T12 fixtures replaced with LED vapor-tight fixtures
• Compact fluorescent and incandescent hard-wired fixtures replaced with flush-mounted LED ceiling fixtures
• 400W and 1,000W metal halide troffers replaced with LED 2×2 and 2×4 flat panel troffers
• New explosion-proof LED cans installed for hazardous areas
• 1×4 LED 34-watt wraps replaced magnetic ballast fluorescent fixtures

Exterior and Specialty Lighting:

• All hangar metal halides replaced with LED high-bays
• Roadway and parking lot metal halide fixtures replaced with decorative LED fixtures
• Wall packs (metal halide, HPS, and compact fluorescent) replaced with new LED wall packs; battery backups added for safety
• Compact fluorescent wall-mounted cans replaced with 12-watt, 8-inch LED high-hat cans
• Metal halide canopy lights replaced with explosion-proof LED alternatives
• LED bollards replaced metal halide bollard fixtures

Additional Features:

• Battery backups installed across critical areas to ensure lighting during power outages
• Daily job site cleanup to maintain safety and operational continuity
• Recycling of all removed lamps and ballasts, ensuring environmentally responsible disposal

The retrofit project resulted in several measurable improvements and benefits, including:

• Energy Efficiency: Significant reduction in energy consumption due to LED technology and optimized drivers
• Maintenance Savings: Longer lifespan of LED fixtures reduces replacement and maintenance frequency
• Safety Improvements: Enhanced lighting quality and reliability with battery backup systems in key areas
• Environmental Impact: Proper recycling of outdated lighting materials and reduced carbon footprint
• Aesthetic Upgrade: Modernized appearance of hangars, roadways, and public areas with new decorative fixtures