June 9th, 2009

From Green Right Now Reports

Puget Sound Energy announced it has distributed more than 10 million free and discounted compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to its more than 1 million electric customers in Western Washington since the residential lighting program launched in 2002.

The utility said there is now an average of 10 energy-saving bulbs in use for every customer in the utility’s 9-county electric service area. PSE has distributed the bulbs to electric customers through local retailers, events and special promotions.

“Our customers understand that even a decision as small as the light bulbs they choose can make a big difference,” Cal Shirley, vice president of Energy Efficiency Services for PSE, said in a statement. “CFL bulbs will help PSE customers save a collective $430 million in energy costs over the lifetime of these 10 million bulbs, and lower their carbon emissions by the equivalent of 38,000 gallons of gasoline.”

CFL bulbs are 75 percent more efficient than traditional, incandescent types and last up to 10 times longer. For example, a 13-watt CFL bulb can replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb without compromising light quality. Consumers who install CFL bulbs in high-use areas, such as porch lights, can save as much as $60 each year simply by changing five light bulbs, PSE said.

Though safe to use in the home, CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, so used CFL bulbs should be recycled. PSE offers free recycling of CFL bulbs at 14 office locations. Used, unbroken CFL bulbs can be placed in the labeled bins in the office lobbies. Free CFL bulb recycling is also available at Bartell Drugs stores, Home Depot, IKEA, and county and municipal household hazardous waste locations.

You can see a complete list of CFL bulb recycling locations and retailers offering PSE discounts and incentives online or call a PSE energy advisor at 1-800-562-1482.