St. Charles LED Street Lighting Program

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the LED street lighting program?
The City is upgrading all its streetlights to energy-efficient LED lights. This includes residential and highway streetlights, subdivision decorative streetlighting and downtown development streetlighting.

What makes LED lighting a better choice?
LED lighting is:

  • More energy-efficient
  • Longer-lasting and requires less maintenance
  • Provides better light quality with higher Kelvin temperatures (which affects perceived brightness and visibility)
  • Supported by the St. Charles Police Department for improved security visibility

Do LED lights save money?
Yes. LED fixtures use significantly less electricity and require virtually no maintenance, aside from eventual replacement. They offer a more effective solution, as the current High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) fixtures being replaced require repairs on 200 to 400 units every couple of months.

Why are the traditionally used HPS lights being phased out by the City?
HPS lighting no longer meets federal energy efficiency standards, and:

  • Its components (lamps, ballasts, ignitors) are increasingly unavailable and costly.
  • Manufacturing of HPS lights is banned under federal regulations.
  • The City has transitioned to LED fixtures, which are more efficient and sustainable.

So, no new HPS fixtures are being installed?
No. HPS lighting is considered obsolete. St. Charles no longer installs or replaces HPS fixtures, and all upgrades now use LED technology.

Are LED lights brighter than HPS lights?
Not necessarily. The lumens (actual light output) of LED fixtures are often equal to or slightly less than the HPS lights they replace. However, because of the color, LED lights appear brighter, which enhances visibility and safety.

Why does LED street lighting look different?
 The difference is in their color. The light’s Kelvin temperature measures its tone:

  • Lower Kelvin (like traditional HPS lights) produces a warmer, yellowish glow.
  • Higher Kelvin emits a cooler, whiter light.
  • This whiter light improves visibility and enhances the perception of brightness, which is key for public safety and security.
  • City street lighting is specifically designed for use in public spaces, not for the softer ambiance typical of residential or backyard lighting.

What are the main factors considered when changing street lighting technologies?
Lighting changes are based on:

  • Light output (lumens)
  • Efficiency per lumens (light output) and footcandles (intensity)
  • Maintenance ease and cost
  • Purchase and operational costs
  • Compliance with federal energy efficiency standards

When did St. Charles start converting to LED lighting?
The transition began in 2018 after testing various manufacturers’ LED fixtures since 2011. Upgrades were prioritized for busier streets, before pausing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program resumed in 2023 and now continues neighborhood-by-neighborhood.

When will the lighting replacements be completed?
There is currently no fixed completion date. This is partly due to the higher cost of replacing decorative “Gothic” fixtures in some subdivisions, which may require a new base, pole and fixture.

How has street lighting in St. Charles evolved over time?
Like most communities, street lighting in St. Charles has evolved through several technologies:

  • Incandescent Lighting
  • Mercury Vapor High Intensity Lighting
  • Metal Halide High Intensity Lighting
  • High Pressure Sodium (HPS) High Intensity Lighting (being phased out)
  • Light Emitting Diode (LED) Lighting (current standard)

 

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