Better quality, more controllable and efficient lighting is an investment that ought to be on the radar screens of school districts across the U.S. this year. Superintendents, business managers, and school boards can take a meaningful step toward extraordinary, lasting lighting energy savings--and improved, more flexible learning environments--by visiting www.BetterLightingBetterSchools.com.

The site provides a spectrum of information on how schools can improve lighting energy efficiency. It features a lighting audit request form tied to the introduction of energy-efficient Class Pack Lighting Systems from GE Lighting and Lithonia Lighting. By installing Class Pack Lighting Systems, schools can reduce annual lighting-related energy costs up to 50 percent.

"We want to help school districts across the country understand the significant opportunity that today's energy-efficient lighting systems can provide," says Jason Raak, a marketing manager with GE's lighting business. "Recent new product advancements make current high-performance lighting far superior to systems installed just five years ago, and payback periods are shorter than ever."

Do the math to cut energy costs!

Qualified school representatives can use www.BetterLightingBetterSchools.com to request a school or district-wide energy audit (restrictions apply). Visitors to the site will see a host of supporting statistics and valuable details on how school executives can lower the cost to renovate facilities by using NEMA premium ballasts and CEE qualified HPT8 lamps, which in many regions can defray initial costs through utility rebate eligibility.

The new Class Pack Lighting Systems combine high-light-output, full-spectrum fluorescent lighting with a ballast system that delivers customized lighting levels in a two-lamp platform. With fewer, longer-longer life components, it minimizes maintenance and lamp replacement costs. It's designed for fast, easy installation after school is out for the day or during summer renovations.

"We think BetterLightingBetterSchools.com provides school districts with many of the resources needed to make smart financial decisions about lighting and energy savings," says Monik Mehra, director of marketing, Lithonia Lighting. "It's a vital tool at a time when school districts have to do more with less, while striving to improve the quality of their students' learning experience."