Save money; save the Earth

CFL bulbs can reduce environmental footprint, save on energy bills

By Jessica Legge

FAIRMONT — By supporting the national Energy Star Change a Light, Change the World campaign, the West Virginia Division of Energy is helping to “change the world, one light — one energy-saving step — at a time.”

Energy Star, a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, is asking people across the country to change at least one traditional light bulb in their household to a more energy-efficient light bulb.

The West Virginia Division of Energy is urging state citizens to take the campaign pledge online by visiting its Web site, www.energywv.org, and clicking on the Energy Star link. Pledging is also a way for individuals to observe international Earth Day, which is Tuesday.

“When you talk about all the households out there, it adds up,” Bill Willis, program coordinator with the state Division of Energy, said.

According to Willis, the average home has about 30 lights, and the average family spends about $60 a year on energy for lighting their house.

An Energy Star qualified light bulb uses about 1/4 the amount of energy that a standard incandescent bulb does and won’t have to be replaced as much, he said. A compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb lasts upwards of 10,000 hours, while a regular bulb lasts 750 to 1,000 hours.

“It’s sort of the first step you can do in your home to really start reducing your electric costs for lighting,” Willis said.

He said areas where the lights stay on frequently are a good place for persons to place their new light bulbs.

“Saving energy is helping the environment and reducing your energy footprint,” Willis said. “Going to CFLs is a way to do that.”

Willis said more and more people are catching on to the benefits of using Energy Star light bulbs.

“People are really starting to take notice of CFLs,” he said. “I see them in homes, but more importantly I see them out in public facilities.”

“You’re doing something for your pocketbook, but you’re also doing something for your environment, so it’s a win-win. And you’re helping the energy independence that we’re all trying to foster.”

On April 19, the Division of Energy participated in “Earth Day 2008: Family Fun Day” in Charleston with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. The two groups helped people compare traditional incandescent and CFL bulbs and had educational displays and materials on hand.

Products can earn energy efficiency ratings through the government’s Energy Star program, and the West Virginia Division of Energy is concentrating on CFL bulbs, said Kelly Bragg, program coordinator for the division. People can buy a compact florescent bulb that doesn’t have the Energy Star Rating, but the division is encouraging consumers to purchase ones that have the label.

The Division of Energy is promoting the Energy Star Change a Light pledge through a billboard and print advertising campaign. Energy tips have been published in various newspapers across the state, Bragg said.

“We’re trying to reach as many outlets as possible, including the Internet, the newspapers, any kind of media opportunity we have ... so people can learn about the savings they can get if they change light bulbs,” she said.

Energy-efficient bulbs cost more than regular incandescent bulbs. However, CFLs use less energy and will save the user money on bills. Bragg suggested that when a regular light bulb burns out, just replace it with an Energy Star one.

As of April 18, West Virginia had 5,858 pledges to change 23,080 light bulbs. The energy costs saved through that activity would be $605,296.

The Division of Energy isn’t the only pledge driver in the state. The DEP, other state agencies and schools are also involved in the campaign, Bragg said.

She said people need to understand that the can take concrete steps — like changing to an Energy Star light bulb — to save energy.

“It doesn’t require a huge investment or an advanced engineering degree,” she said. “It’s a sensible step that someone can take.”

Allegheny Power is an Energy Star partner, which allows the company to use the Energy Star logo and some materials. The company has a link to the Energy Star Change a Light pledge on its Web site, www.alleghenypower.com.

Allen Staggers, manager of corporate communications for Allegheny Power, said the Energy Star program is universally understood and accepted and is widely used among product manufacturers. When consumers see the Energy Star label on something, they know that it is one of the most energy efficient items in that product category.

Allegheny Power inserts a quarterly publication called “Allegheny Customer” into the bills of residential and business clients. The focus of this insert is energy conservation and efficiency, Staggers said.

Allegheny Power mails customers fact sheets and brochures on energy-related topics, he said. Also, the company’s Watt Watchers energy management initiative is featured on its Web site.

Staggers said electricity prices haven’t changed much through the years. However, many people’s bills have increased because they have more appliances and equipment and use more electricity.

“I think people are much more conscious about using this energy now and saving money wherever they can,” Staggers said. “If you use less energy, that generally translates into less environmental impact because less electricity is needed.”

E-mail Jessica Legge at jlegge@timeswv.com.