Iconic Canada Life weather beacon goes "green"

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - More than 60 years after it first lit up the Toronto skyline, the Canada Life weather beacon is getting an upgrade.

On Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11, weather permitting, the Canada Life weather beacon will convert to using light emitting diode (LED) lights to show the temperature rising and falling and to forecast approaching weather conditions.

"Converting the weather beacon to LED technology helps to reduce the carbon footprint of this well-recognized and cherished Toronto landmark," says Paul Finkbeiner, President of GWL Realty Advisors Inc., which manages the Canada Life head office property in Toronto. "This is one of many projects that GWL Realty Advisors is undertaking to enhance building performance and reduce energy costs. We are fortunate to work with clients who invest consistently and prudently in their assets."

The weather beacon is currently lit by over 1,000 incandescent bulbs.  Canada Life initiated the change because the incandescent bulbs use on average 10,000 kwhs of energy per month and require frequent replacement.

Using LED lights will reduce energy consumption by 93 per cent, according to a case study by Energy@Work Inc., an independent advisor on energy efficiency.

GWL Realty Advisors staff have been researching and testing a variety of LED bulbs to find one that could withstand frequent bursts of electricity that result from the lights going on and off.

With LED bulbs' performance and reliability having improved, Canada Life made the decision to convert the weather beacon earlier this year.

The focus on energy conservation began several years ago, with the decision to turn the weather beacon - which ran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for many years - off at midnight.

• The weather beacon began operating atop Canada Life's flagship building at 330 University Avenue in August 1951.
  
  
• Lights affixed to a support tower indicate variations in temperature, while a beacon light at the top forecasts approaching weather systems.
  
  
• The beacon is updated four times daily, seven days a week, with information provided by Environment Canada's Weather Centre at Pearson International Airport.

Canada Life, founded in 1847, was Canada's first domestic life insurance company.  Canada Life and GWL Realty Advisors are members of the Great-West Lifeco group of companies.

Image with caption: "The 60-year-old Canada Life weather beacon is being retrofitted with energy-saving LED bulbs, reducing the carbon footprint of this Toronto landmark. (CNW Group/Canada Life)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130808_C4874_PHOTO_EN_29725.jpg

SOURCE: Canada Life

Libbie Jennings
Associate Manager, Communications
416.552.5598
Email: [email protected]