If you run AV shows on outdoor turf fields—think sports events, concerts, community gatherings—you know the expenses can skyrocket. From power bills to replacement lamps, there's a lot to budget for. But a Light ITP-style setup (integrated turf lighting + AV) can help you trim costs smartly. Here’s how you can save money without sacrificing quality.
1. What Is Light ITP & Why It Matters for Costs
Before digging into the savings, it helps to define Light ITP. In this context, that means an AV system paired with a smart, efficient turf lighting setup—LED fixtures, good controls, well-planned layout, the works.
Why this matters: Traditional lighting (metal halide, halogen, older floodlights) is expensive to run and maintain. LED + AV integration means you can coordinate lighting, video, and sound in ways that reduce waste. You get better visuals, less energy usage, and longer component life. That’s where cost savings begin.
2. Energy Savings: The Big Monthly Impact
One of the most immediate cost-cutting benefits of Light ITP comes from reduced power use.
LED lighting for sports venues typically uses much less electricity than older lighting. CHZ Lighting states that using LED lighting can lower energy consumption significantly for stadiums.
For example, switching from metal halide lamps to LEDs can cut energy bills by 50-70% in many turf field lighting setups. The lighting requirements for a standard small turf pitch using LED fixtures cost less to operate monthly compared to old system
Also, better controls—dimmers, sensors, scheduling—mean you don’t have to run full power all the time. On non-game nights or during day use, you can reduce lighting intensity and save more.
3. Reduced Maintenance and Longer Lifespan
Another big way Light ITP saves money: less upkeep.
LED fixtures typically last far longer than traditional bulbs. Some LED lamps offer 50,000 hours or more, while metal halide or other lamps often need replacing much sooner.
Fewer replacements mean less labor and less cost for parts. Also, fewer disruptions to shows—that means less lost revenue or re-scheduling.
Because Light ITP systems are designed for AV compatibility, they are often built with higher quality thermal design and rugged fixtures. That reduces risk of burnout, overheating, etc.
4. Optimized Control: Only Using What You Need
You don’t need full output all the time. Light ITP solutions often include smart control systems that adjust lighting based on actual need.
Using sensors, timers, or motion detectors to reduce lighting when full brightness isn’t required saves power and wear.
Adaptive brightness based on daylight (if there's ambient light) or crowd presence. If the stadium is half full, or only some zones are in use, you can dim or turn off others.
Scheduled lighting: turning lights off or reducing power during non-events or pre/post show times. This avoids unnecessary costs
5. Lower Heat, Lower Cooling & Infrastructure Strain
LED lighting produces less wasted heat compared to traditional lighting, which has multiple downstream cost savings.
Less heat means less stress on cooling systems (if you have them), less chance of overheating AV equipment.
Fixtures that run cooler often last longer; heat is a major culprit in component degradation.
Infrastructure (wiring, support, power supplies) has to deal with less thermal load, fewer risks, and less maintenance.
6. Case Estimates & Payback Periods
To understand how cost savings add up, looking at example figures is helpful.
For small turf pitches, swapping to LED lighting fixtures can cost more upfront, but the energy savings often recoup that extra cost in 6-12 months in some cases. For example, in one turf pitch using LED projectors, the electricity bill dropped from something like 600-800 TL to 200-250 TL monthly after switchingStadium lighting cost studies show that LED vs metal halide systems can cut the annual energy cost roughly in half, depending on usage hours. Over a few years, the savings exceed the initial investment significantly.
7. What to Watch Out For: Avoiding Hidden Costs
It’s not all savings automatically—you must plan well.
Upfront cost of LED + control systems is higher. Quality fixtures, proper cabling, good power supply, and installation matter.
If lighting is poorly designed (bad layout, glare, non-uniform beams), you’ll need more fixtures or suffer AV issues, which add cost.
Maintenance contracts, warranty, and proper protection (weatherproofing, IP rating) are essential. A cheap fixture that fails in rain or wind will cost more.
Operational practices: leaving lights on full when not needed, poor scheduling, not cleaning fixtures can degrade performance and increase cost.
✅ Conclusion
Light ITP setups (smart, integrated lighting + AV systems on outdoor turf) offer powerful cost savings for event operators. Between substantial energy reductions, lower maintenance, smarter controls, and long fixture life, the return on investment typically is strong—especially for venues with frequent events.
If you want help estimating specific savings for your field—based on size, hours of lighting per week, your electric rates, and AV setup—I can run the numbers for you.
