News & Events

Statewide CFL Program Information

Eight Texas utilities have joined to launch a statewide ENERGY STAR® residential lighting program. They plan to save the state 77 million kilowatt hours of energy or $7.5 million by the end of 2008. Ecos, an energy efficiency and environmental solutions firm was hired by the utilities through Frontier Associates, an Austin-based firm specializing in the design, implementation and evaluation of energy efficiency efforts, to implement the program, which encourages the use of energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs or CFLs.

The program which invites Texans to "Make their Mark" on energy savings, kicked off in July of 2008 and expects to have over 1.5 million CFLs in homes around the state by the end of the year. That would save enough energy to power 39,588 homes for one year.

At the core of the program are discounted bulbs offered at participating Texas retailers such as The Home Depot and Costco. Ecos uses their established relationships with lighting manufacturers and retailers to help the utilities "buy down" the cost of the bulbs ahead of time so customers can receive a discount upon purchase, without the hassle of coupons or rebates. The other component of the program is education through outreach in-store and community events so customers can learn first-hand the benefits of using CFLs.

The average Texas family spends $1,900 per year on home energy costs. Approximately ten percent of a home’s electric consumption is from lighting, typically with standard incandescent light bulbs. But consumers can make their mark on energy costs and the environment with a very energy-efficient – bulb: the compact fluorescent light bulb, or CFL.

Not only will Texas consumers be able to buy CFLs at a price that’s competitive with incandescent bulbs, they’ll be making their mark on energy bills, energy usage and the environment from the moment they install them. CFLs use less energy than incandescent bulbs, burn cooler and last up to 10 times longer.

The discounted bulbs are available at retailers where customers are already used to buying bulbs. Customers can find out which retailers are participating by calling the program's toll-free hotline at 1-866-668-9581, or visiting MakeYourMarkTX.com. They'll also learn more about what kind of impact a small bulb can have on energy use.

Compact fluorescent lights:

• Use up to 75 percent less energy
• Save an average of $30 in energy costs over the life of each bulb; installing five or more bulbs in a home can save $150 or more
• Last longer — often between five and seven years
• Give off less heat, which can help reduce cooling costs as well as lighting costs
• Provide the same light output and color tone as standard bulbs
• Come in a wide variety of shapes and styles, with features such as dimming and 3-way, and can be used almost wherever incandescent bulbs are currently used

Recycle

Although the CFLs can last up to seven years, eventually they will burn out. When that happens, the sponsoring utilities encourage customers to dispose of the bulbs by recycling. CFLs contain a small amount of mercury which makes them so efficient. Of all household products that contain mercury, CFLs have the least amount - an average of only 4mg. It’s important to "close the loop," protect the environment and recycle your CFL.

Customers purchasing CFLs are encouraged to take their burned-out, intact bulbs to participating recycling locations, which accept the bulbs for recycling, free of charge. To find a location near you visit earth911.org, lamprecycle.org or MakeYourMarkTX.com. Some retailers, such as The Home Depot, also accept used bulbs for recycling.

In January 2009, there will be nine utilities participating in the Texas Statewide CFL Program. The program will continue through December of 2009.