Putting efficiency in a new light

As you probably know, we're big on compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). It's not just us, however. Electric co-ops across the state and nation have been promoting the use of CFLs. Why? It fits the cooperatives' ongoing effort to promote the wise use of energy.

James Andrew, the administrator of the federal Rural Utilities Service, is impressed. "Great idea," he told co-op leaders at a meeting earlier this year. Andrews, who oversees the branch of the Department of Agriculture that provides loans for projects needed by electric co-ops, also shared an interesting statistic that we want to pass along.

Quoting an article in The New York Times, Andrew noted how "about 22 percent of electricity generated is used for lighting and about 42 percent of that is incandescent bulbs. That means that about 9 percent of the electricity used in the U.S. is consumed by incandescent bulbs. If that percentage was cut in half, it would be the equivalent to two or three years of growth in the electric demand.

"Manufacturers of compact fluorescent bulbs say a complete phase-out (of incandescent bulbs) would save $18 billion a year in electricity and would save the amount of power that would be produced by 30 nuclear reactors or as many as 80 coal-fired plants."

"That is just one technology on the market and the minds of the public to trim the use of electricity," he said. "Maybe we could expand that thinking to many other technologies being considered for the conservation of energy."

We're with him on that point, too. For members, we suggest energy efficient products such as geothermal heat pumps, super-insulated water heaters and programmable thermostats. We also have programs and services that help members manage their power use.

Promoting CFL use is just one small effort, but it's a good one. In the past two years, Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative and other South Carolina co-ops have distributed about 93,000 of these efficient bulbs. It's a classic win-win situation: We help co-op members cut their power bills; and reduces the amount of power that must be generated, transmitted and distributed.

CFLs are a bright idea and another example of why electric co-ops nationwide say, "Together, we have the power to make a difference."

Related links:

CFL main page »
Light Bulb Energy Saver Calculator »
Touchstone Energy Home Energy Saver