July 31, 2008 - The electric cooperative of South Carolina have given away
1.2 million energy efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to date in
the first phase of the group's "Do The Light Switch" campaign. Within the
next ten years, the program is expected to distribute seven million CFLs
which could save the equivalent of the amount of energy used by 35, 000
homes.
In the first year of the program, each household served by an electric cooperative received two free CFLs in the mail. The distribution began in April and continued through July. Additionally this year, each electric co-op in the state is offering a free CFL to each member who registers at his or her annual meeting. Also this summer, the co-ops donated 4, 300 CFLs to the S.C. State Park System.
"This is one way the cooperatives can help members deal with the rising energy prices," said Ron Calcaterra, CEO of Central Electric Power Cooperative, which is providing the funding for the energy efficiency program. "By helping them make the switch to more efficient lighting, we use less fuel to generate energy, allowing us to pass those fuel cost savings to them. Our members save energy and money, while using the same amount of lighting." The electric cooperatives launched the "Do The Light Switch" program this year as a result of an independent study which showed that the No. 1 measure residents could take to curb energy use was to replace standard lighting with energy efficient lighting.
CFLs use about 75-percent less energy than a standard incandescent bulb. They produce less heat and can last 6-10 times longer than a traditional bulb. one 13-watt CFL--which has the equivalent light output of a 60-watt standard bulb--will save an average of $30 over it's lifetime. Switching to CFLs in a home's most used light fixtures will save even more money.
And CFLs are also good for the environment. Because they use less energy, CFL lessen the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. One bulb will prevent more than 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime.
Little River Electric is a Touchstone Energy ® partner.
Little River Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a member owned electric co-op proudly serving Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood,
and McCormick Counties in South Carolina since 1940.
Copyright © 2008, Little River Electric Cooperative, Inc.
In the first year of the program, each household served by an electric cooperative received two free CFLs in the mail. The distribution began in April and continued through July. Additionally this year, each electric co-op in the state is offering a free CFL to each member who registers at his or her annual meeting. Also this summer, the co-ops donated 4, 300 CFLs to the S.C. State Park System.
"This is one way the cooperatives can help members deal with the rising energy prices," said Ron Calcaterra, CEO of Central Electric Power Cooperative, which is providing the funding for the energy efficiency program. "By helping them make the switch to more efficient lighting, we use less fuel to generate energy, allowing us to pass those fuel cost savings to them. Our members save energy and money, while using the same amount of lighting." The electric cooperatives launched the "Do The Light Switch" program this year as a result of an independent study which showed that the No. 1 measure residents could take to curb energy use was to replace standard lighting with energy efficient lighting.
CFLs use about 75-percent less energy than a standard incandescent bulb. They produce less heat and can last 6-10 times longer than a traditional bulb. one 13-watt CFL--which has the equivalent light output of a 60-watt standard bulb--will save an average of $30 over it's lifetime. Switching to CFLs in a home's most used light fixtures will save even more money.
And CFLs are also good for the environment. Because they use less energy, CFL lessen the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. One bulb will prevent more than 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime.
Little River Electric is a Touchstone Energy ® partner.
Little River Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a member owned electric co-op proudly serving Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood,
and McCormick Counties in South Carolina since 1940.
Copyright © 2008, Little River Electric Cooperative, Inc.