Leviton LevNet RF™ Wireless Controls Help University of California Santa Cruz Library Win Two Awards for Sustainability and Innovation

MELVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Leviton, a leading global manufacturer of electrical devices, and the University of California Santa Cruz's (UCSC) Science and Engineering Library's joint project has been named a recipient of two significant awards. The university utilized Leviton's LevNet RF^™, a high-performance line of wireless occupancy sensors, switches and accessories that feature EnOcean's energy-harvesting technology, to aid in helping reduce the library's energy consumption by 50 percent. For their efforts, UCSC was awarded the "Best Practice Lighting Award" at the 2011 California Higher Education Sustainability Conference and the EnOcean Alliance's "Wireless Innovation Project of the Year" award.

"It is exciting to see our LevNet RF wireless lighting control be recognized for helping UCSC achieve their energy reduction goals in this award-winning and innovative project," said Richard Westfall, Vice President and General Manager for Leviton's Lighting & Energy Solutions. "Energy conservation has never been more important, from both an environmental and economic perspective, and Leviton remains committed to providing our customers with solutions that help them protect their environment and their bottom line."

The school was concerned that existing lighting in the library was in use for nearly 20 hours a day, leading to daily energy waste. Daily occupancy of the building varied greatly and did not follow a reliable pattern. Facing time constraints and the potential high cost of conventional wired technologies, the energy team chose to use Leviton's LevNet RF products to achieve their energy goals.

The LevNet RF receivers were paired to wireless occupancy sensors and light sensors that control the updated and more efficient T8 light fixtures. The wireless light sensors control all perimeter lighting fixtures adjacent to windows and takes advantage of daylight harvesting. With an abundance of ambient lighting, these sensors will keep the lights off resulting in greatly reduced energy waste. The introduction of Leviton occupancy sensors, combined with a lighting upgrade, resulted in an anticipated $48,000 annually savings in energy costs for UCSC. The university was also able to make use of an energy rebate incentive for the replacement of the inefficient T12 light fixtures and an additional incentive was given for the occupancy and light sensors that further reduced the project cost.

The EnOcean Alliance is a 250-member consortium of companies working to standardize and internationalize energy harvesting wireless technology for green intelligent buildings. The award is designed to promote innovation and increase implementation of wireless energy harvesting green intelligent building technology. The California Higher Education Sustainability Conference highlights cutting-edge research, as well as case studies with proven successes in curriculum development, operational programs and community partnerships.

About Leviton

Leviton Manufacturing Company is one of the largest privately held global providers of electrical wiring devices, data center connectivity solutions and lighting energy management systems. Founded at the turn of the 20^th century in America, Leviton has grown to become one of the preeminent leaders in the electrical industry. Today Leviton's product portfolio consists of more than 25,000 devices and systems used in homes, businesses and industry. Proven to be a smart choice, nine out of 10 homes throughout North America have Leviton products installed in them. Builders, electrical contractors and other industry professionals rank Leviton products No. 1 in brand preference. For more information contact Leviton Manufacturing or visit www.leviton.com, http://www.facebook.com/leviton, http://twitter.com/levitonmfg or http://www.youtube.com/user/Levitonmfg.

SOURCE Leviton Manufacturing Company