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El Paso Electric kicks off the ENERGY STAR® Lighting Program in Texas to encourage adoption of the energy-efficient bulbs by offering big discounts at local retailers
Approximately ten percent of a home’s electric consumption is from lighting, typically with standard incandescent light bulbs. But customers can make their mark on energy costs and the environment with a quirky-looking – yet very energy-efficient – bulb: the compact fluorescent light bulb, or CFL.
Eight Texas electric utilities are sponsoring the Texas Statewide ENERGY STAR® Residential Lighting Program, which is designed to encourage the purchase and use of ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. El Paso Electric is a part of this effort, and is partnering with local manufacturers and retailers to offer discounts on the bulbs, which will make them more comparable in cost to incandescent bulbs. Although this program is not currently available in New Mexico, El Paso Electric is also working on developing a similar program for its New Mexico customers.
Not only will Texas customers be able to buy CFLs at a price that’s competitive with incandescent bulbs, they’ll be making their mark on energy bills, energy usage and the environment from the moment they install them. CFLs use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, burn cooler and last up to 10 times longer. One CFL can save up to $30, on average, in energy costs, making it well worth the price.
The utilities have set a goal of selling over 1.5 million CFLs in Texas this year, which the utilities estimate will collectively save customers more than 77 million kWh of energy each year. The aggregated energy and environmental benefits of the CFLs are very impressive. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, when the program reaches its goal this year:
- The CFLs sold will save more than $7.5 million in energy costs each year
- Over 77 million kWh of energy will be saved each year, which is enough to power 39,588 homes for one year
- The CFLs will help reduce carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants by over 118 million pounds, which is the equivalent of removing 10,331 cars from our roads
Discounted CFLs will be available at participating retail locations in El Paso Electric’s service territory in Texas through December 2009.
List of El Paso retailers participating in the program
The discounted bulbs don’t require any special coupons or rebates, and are available at retailers where customers are already used to buying bulbs. Customers can find out which retailers are participating by calling the program's toll-free hotline at 1-866-668-9581 or by clicking here: List of El Paso retailers participating in the program.
Energy Savings with CFLs
EPE’s on-line Lighting Calculator can help consumers identify how much money they can save by using CFLs.
Benefits of compact fluorescent lights
- Use up to 75 percent less energy, which can lead to reduced carbon emissions from local power plants
- Save an average of $30 in energy costs over the life of each bulb; installing five or more bulbs in a home can save $150 or more
- Last longer – often between five and seven years
- Give off less heat, which can help reduce cooling costs as well as lighting costs
- Provide the same light output and color tone as standard bulbs
- Come in a wide variety of shapes and styles, with features such as dimming and 3-way, and can be used almost wherever incandescent bulbs are currently used
Disposal of CFLs
Although the CFLs can last up to seven years, eventually they will burn out. When that happens, utilities are encouraging customers to dispose of the bulbs – which contain a small amount of mercury – properly.
Mercury is what makes the CFLs efficient, and – like mercury in batteries or thermometers – it’s completely safe. However, a large number of CFLs in landfills is not good for the environment. El Paso Electric customers are encouraged to take their burned-out bulbs to The Home Depot, which has generously offered to accept the bulbs for recycling, free of charge.
Other Links
Texas Make Your Mark website at MakeYourMarkTX.com
Energy Star, CFLs |
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