Watch your mail for FREE CFL light bulbs
As part of the Benton PUD Conservation Program, we are distributing compact fluorescent light bulbs to all of our residential customers. In the next couple of weeks, you will receive a box of 11 CFLs in the mail.
Free light bulbs? Why? Several good reasons…
By replacing your incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, you’ll save about $50 a year.
CFLs use 60 percent less energy which helps you save money on your bill as soon as you install them. The box of savings you receive will have five 19-watt CFLs and six 13-watt CFLs. A 19-watt CFL generally replaces a 75-watt incandescent light bulb and 13-watt CFL generally replaces a 60-watt incandescent light bulb. By using CFLs, Benton PUD residential customers will save up to $2 million a year.
CFLs distribution is an important component of Benton PUD’s conservation program to meet the mandated conservation requirements.
The Energy Independence Act (Initiative 937) requires Benton PUD to increase it’s conservation program substantially. This conservation project enables Benton PUD to pass energy savings to every one of our residential customers. While other energy conservation projects such as appliance rebates help save energy over time, CFLs provide savings to all of our residential customers immediately.
Our customers using these bulbs will lower Benton PUD’s energy needs.
The more energy we save now, the less Benton PUD has to spend on more expensive power in the future. These savings provide Benton PUD a higher allotment of low-cost hydroelectric power from the Bonneville Power Administration. The power saved can be resold back into the wholesale market to generate revenues to offset the cost of power – this helps keep retail rates from increasing more.
CFLs are better for the environment.
CFLs use less energy, last longer and produce 75 percent less heat than incandescent bulbs. As customers use CFLs more, they will find CFLs work well in any room indoors as well as outdoors. CFLs help our environment in many ways - because they last longer, fewer standard bulbs end up in landfills.
News Release: Benton PUD customers to receive compact fluorescent light bulbs 2/17/2010