Eversource and the Town of West Hartford’s Clean Energy Task Force will host two free light bulb swaps for West Hartford residents as part of Energy Star’s ‘Change the World’ Tour.
The Town of West Hartford and Eversource will host a light bulb swap. Photo courtesy of Sustainable West Hartford
By Ronni Newton
West Hartford residents will have two upcoming opportunities to swap their incandescent light bulbs for new, energy efficient Energy Star LED bulbs at events being hosted by Eversource and the Town of West Hartford that are being sponsored by Energize Connecticut.
According to a news release, West Hartford residents may swap up to five incandescent – or compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs – in any condition, for new LED bulbs at no charge. The free bulbs are a “warm white” color, and have been obtained by the Town of West Hartford through a Bright Idea Grant through the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program.
Identification will be required, and free LED bulbs will be available while supplies last.
Many residents have upgraded lighting to CFLs in recent years, but replacing those bulbs can produce energy savings as well. “Even though CFLs are more efficient than traditional incandescents, LEDs are even more efficient,” said Chris Nelson of the West Hartford’s Clean Energy Task Force.
Attendees will also be able to purchase LED bulbs and other products at a discounted cost at the bulb swap.
“The LED giveaways are great opportunities for West Hartford residents to start saving money and energy at home,” Eversource’s Energy Efficiency spokesman Enoch Lenge said in the release. “As part of the Change the World Tour, for each additional LED bulb purchased, another LED bulb will donated to Habitat for Humanity.”
According to West Hartford’s Clean Energy Task Force, a 60-watt equivalent LED light bulb uses 80 percent less electricity than a 60-watt incandescent bulb. The free bulbs will provide immediate savings, but even purchased bulbs will pay for themselves in less than a year.
The two light bulb swap events, which are part of the 2016 Energy Star “Change the World” Tour, will be held on Monday, Sept. 26, from 3 – 7 p.m. at the Bishops Corner Senior Center, 15 Starkel Rd., and Saturday, Oct. 1, from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at in the auditorium of the Elmwood Community Center, 1106 New Britain Ave.
Eversource energy experts will attend both events to answer questions about energy efficiency, and will also provide information about available “Home Energy Solutions” in-home checkups. Participation in Home Energy Solutions provides the town with points toward additional Bright Idea Grants to fund light bulb swaps and other energy saving efforts.
West Hartford has been a “Clean Energy Community” since 2012. Eversource and West Hartford, through Energize Connecticut, are working to reduce municipal energy consumption by 20 percent by 2018.
For more information, visit EnergizeCT.com or call 877-WISE-USE (947-3873).
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What a fantastic idea, I’m sure once people try LED bulbs the long life and better energy savings will mean they will always choose these bulbs in the future and getting bulbs for free is fantastic.