Your PUD News Release

Redeem rain checks for CFLs by April 30

Chelan County PUD
News Release
4/16/2010

Chelan County PUD customers holding rain checks for free compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are reminded to pick up their bulbs by Friday, April 30. After that, remaining CFLs will be given to customers on a waiting list.

The PUD launched a program in February to give out 41,000 energy-saving CFLs for customers to install in their homes. About 11,000 bulbs were handed out during the first week, all the bulbs that the PUD had on hand. Rain checks were given for the balance of the bulbs, which arrived in March.

Customers can exchange their rain checks for CFLs during business hours at PUD offices in Chelan, Leavenworth and Wenatchee.

By distributing the power-saving bulbs free to customers, the PUD is buying an energy resource, said Susan Gillin, PUD Customer Service administrator. Customers will help save about a million kilowatt hours of electricity over the life of the bulbs by installing all the CFLs provided by the PUD.

To reach that goal, Gillin urges customers to use the energy-efficient CFLs now. “Install the new bulbs as soon as possible,” she said. “You’ll be saving energy and money on your power bill now and long into the future.

“To get maximum energy savings, replace bulbs where lights are on the most - your family and living room, kitchen, dining room and porch. Use your old incandescent bulbs in areas or fixtures less suitable for CFLs,” Gillin said.

The 13-watt CFLs given to PUD customers provide the same light as a 60-watt standard bulb. They use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than old-style bulbs. Gillin reminds customers they can recycle used CFLs (no large tubes) at Chelan PUD offices for free.

In addition to the CFL distribution, the PUD is a member of a regional program to reduce the cost for customers who need specialty CFL bulbs such as dimmable, 3-way, candelabra or flood lamps. The PUD pays the cost for 10 local retailers, who display the “Change a Light” sign, to reduce prices on the specialty bulbs. The PUD also is paying up to $2,500 to residential customers who add insulation and install energy-saving windows and glass doors in their homes.

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Check the PUD’s Web site at www.chelanpud.org for tips on saving energy and to sign up for Lightly, the PUD’s online energy newsletter. Use the PUD’s online CFL calculator to figure your savings by installing the energy-saving bulbs. Follow the PUD on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CCPUD.

For more information contact the PUD’s Conservation Department at (509) 661-8008 or e-mail conservation@chelanpud.org.

Kimberlee Craig
Public Information Officer
Chelan County PUD
Wenatchee, WA
(509) 661-4320, office
(509) 679-6858, mobile
kimberlee.craig@chelanpud.org
www.chelanpud.org