Historic USS Hornet Gets Energy-Efficient Makeover

The USS Hornet museum is a state and national landmark located in Alameda, CA.

Converted into a floating museum, the retired Navy Aircraft Carrier, USS Hornet CVS-12, is getting a makeover to reduce its energy consumption and costs.  Docked at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, Ca., this historic landmark’s current upgrades are part of a restoration that began in 1998.

Wasted energy, relamping labor and materials costs prompted the USS Hornet Museum to explore new energy-efficient lighting alternatives.  The Chief Electrician, Rich Nabuda, devised a plan for converting the ship’s energy and light sources in order to reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs. 

Through extensive planning and product donations, the inefficient light sources in the ship’s fixtures were replaced with 11 to 30 watt CFLs, T8 linear fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts.  The relamping reduced energy consumption in the Chief Petty Officers’ Mess by half and the Hangar Bays’ lighting fixtures now save an estimated $34 in energy costs per lighting fixture every day.

The upgrades also enhanced exhibits due to the higher light quality of CFLs and new linear fluorescent lamps.  Since the installation of lighting contactors, the ship’s docents are able to control where lights are used during conducted tours further eliminating wasted energy.

Westinghouse Lighting supports the USS Hornet Museum’s energy-efficiency conversion efforts and recently donated compact fluorescent lamps to the project.

A registered state and national historic landmark, the USS Hornet participated most notably in World War II and in the recovery of Apollo 11 and 12.  For more information about the museum, visit www.uss-hornet.org or call (510) 521-8448.

More information on Westinghouse energy efficient lighting products.

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