Press release from
I&M customers eligible for special pricing on energy-saving light bulbs
(September 22, 2010) – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) customers are about to discover that saving energy and money really is as easy as a twist of0 the wrist. From now through Dec. 15, 2010, I&M residential electric customers in Indiana are eligible for special pricing that will allow them to purchase ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) for as little as 99 cents at participating retailers. (Limit of 12 CFLs per customer, while supplies last.)
This CFL rebate program is one of several new energy efficiency programs I&M has been rolling out to customers this year as part of its SMART Programs – Saving Money And Resources Together ®.
ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs and provide the same light output, but use up to 75 percent less energy. Because lighting accounts for about 20 percent of electricity costs in the average home, this can result in significant household savings. Each CFL saves an average of $30 in energy costs over their lifetime, and by replacing the five most-used bulbs in a home with energy-efficient CFLs, families can save $35 in energy costs during the first year alone.
While these financial savings are a big draw for consumers, CFLs offer environmental benefits as well. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than three million homes for one year and reduce pollution by the equivalent of taking more than 800,000 cars off the road.
“Switching to energy-efficient lighting is a simple and effective first step toward saving energy at home while helping the environment at the same time,” said I&M President and Chief Operating Officer Paul Chodak. “We are offering special pricing on CFLs to make this step even
easier for our customers. Indiana Michigan Power is committed to making a difference in the community.”Today’s CFLs produce bright, warm light at less cost to consumers because they use less electricity and last longer than incandescent bulbs, saving time and money on replacements. With the wide range of CFL shapes, sizes and styles now on the market, consumers can find an energy-efficient bulb for every situation and enjoy reduced energy costs all year long.
For more information about ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs, or to find participating retailers, call 877.338.3025 or visit www.indianamichiganpower.com/save. The website also has information about I&M’s other SMART Programs.
About Indiana Michigan Power
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) serves 575,000 customers in Indiana and Michigan. Its headquarters is in Fort Wayne, Ind., with external affairs offices in Indianapolis and Lansing, Mich. To learn more about I&M, visit www.indianamichiganpower.com.About ENERGY STAR
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the ENERGY STAR program in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations partner with ENERGY STAR to improve the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).
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You won’t save a lot of scratch on the bulbs themselves, but at least you’ll spend less time changing them.
CFLs don’t operate well in frigid conditions, limiting their use for exterior lighting in cold areas.
Should you break out the hazmat suit if you break a CFL at home? The EPA offers a checklist at epa.gov/mercury that suggests you leave the room for 15 minutes, then return to sweep up and double-bag the mess — and not to vacuum unless absolutely necessary.
So handle with care, lest you end up like Brandy Bridges of Prospect, Maine, who broke a CFL bulb in her daughter’s room in March and was told that professional environmental cleaning would cost about $2,000.