Press Release Archive

November 25 , 2002 News Media Release

Austin Energy, Housing Authority residents partner in national energy-savings campaign

Austin Energy is partnering with the Austin Housing Authority in a nationwide campaign to promote energy-efficiency by providing Housing Authority residents with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to reduce electricity costs.

With colder temperatures arriving and shorter daylight hours, reducing costs for lighting is just one way to efficiently manage a home’s overall energy costs because lighting accounts for 10% of an average home’s electricity bill.

At 10 a.m. Monday, November 25, representatives with Austin Energy and the Austin Housing Authority will provide residents of the 94-unit Georgian Manor, 110 Bolles Circle, with energy-efficient light bulbs to install in their residential units. (Residents of the complex will install the bulbs in their units and be available for interviews). Austin Energy plans to expand the program to other Housing Authority complexes.

Austin Energy also is partnering with local retailers to offer City of Austin electric customers $3 off point of purchase coupons on Energy Star labeled compact fluorescent light bulbs through December 31. (See attached list of participating retailers).

Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) use 70% less electricity, give off 90% light and just 10% heat, and last 6 to 10 times longer than a standard incandescent bulb – which gives off 90% heat and 10% light. A 23-watt CFL can replace a 100-watt incandescent and last 4 to 5 years as opposed to the 4 months for the incandescent bulb.

Lighting accounts for $90 a year of the average household’s electricity bill, or about 10%. Each CFL installed in a home would save $25 over its lifetime. It is estimated that if every household in Austin changed the lighting in just one room, enough electricity would be saved to light more than 86,000 residences for a year.

Installing CFLs also helps protect the environment because it reduces emissions by not having to create as much electricity. If every household in the U.S. changed lighting in just one room, the annual energy savings would equal the output of 21 power plants.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman and the U.S. Department of Energy have encouraged partnerships, such as the ones being undertaken by Austin Energy, through the “Change A Light, Change the World” national campaign to promote energy-efficient lighting.

As part of the campaign, Austin Energy customers can purchase CFLs and redeem $3 off point-of-purchase coupons at the following locations:

	Breed and Company, 718 W. 29th St.
	Breed and Company, 3663 Bee Caves Road
	Hardware Store, 8650 Spicewood Springs Road, #130
	The Home Depot, Most locations
	The Light Bulb Shop, 6318 Burnet Road
	Lowe’s, 5510 S. IH-35
	Texas Light Bulb and Supply, 2121 W. Parmer Lane
	Texas Light Bulb and Supply, 4201 S. Congress Ave.

In addition, Austin Energy offers free weatherization to low- and moderate-income residents as well as rebates and low-interest loans to help customers make their homes or businesses more energy-efficient.

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For more information, contact Ed Clark, Public Information.
Phone: (512) 322-6514
Pager: (512) 802-2000