Yukon Energy, in partnership with the Yukon Electrical Company Ltd. has begun a pilot program by testing three different types of LED street lights in Mendenhall, a community just outside Whitehorse.

Manufacturers say the lights can last for up to 38 years, compared to four years for regular lights. They also use less power.

Six of the lights were tested in Dawson City in 2010, and Yukon Energy says that project was a success.

“What we learned from Dawson … the lights saved us 64 per cent in electricity. So we'll see how these new lights do, we'll see whether we want to do a switch throughout all our areas,” said Janet Patterson, who works with Yukon Energy.

The new lights are slightly more expensive than conventional lights, and they also give out a different hue of light.

In Dawson City, nine out of 10 residents told the company they would support a switch to the LED lights.

It is not yet clear if all street lights in the territory will be replaced by the new LED lights. For now, Yukon Energy will test these newest units in Mendenhall to see how they perform in the cold.