(KNZA)--In an energy savings move, the city of Hiawatha will be installing LED bulbs in the town’s historic post lantern street lights.

The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening gave Water and Lights Superintendent Brad Scott approval to solicit bids for the purchase of 380 LED bulbs.

He says the street lights currently have metal halide bulbs, which use about 70 watts of power.  Scott said the LED bulbs would use about 25 watts.

With the energy savings, he estimated a payback of 2 to 4 years.

Scott estimated the cost to replace the bulbs at around $21,000.

He said the bulbs should last more than 10 years.

City crews will install the new LED bulbs.  Scott said the project should take 2-3 months and will be done during the winter months.