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About MMA MunEnergy Compact fluorescent bulbs reduce energy costs
For cities and towns looking to cut energy costs through efficiency measures, the first and easiest step is changing the light bulbs.
The switch to energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs has been making headlines recently as countries, states and municipalities have called for replacing incandescent bulbs.
In March, the European Union followed Australia’s lead with plans to gradually mandate a switch to the energy-saving bulbs. In the United States, California and New Jersey are looking to follow suit, while the city of Chicago is giving away 500,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs through its “Smart Bulb Program.”
Why the spotlight on bulbs? The benefits make a strong case. According to OneBillionBulbs.com, based on the average cost of electricity in Massachusetts as of May 2006, a household could save about $93 per year for every five 100W standard incandescent light bulbs replaced with five 25W compact fluorescent bulbs. This is a fraction of the savings cities and towns could realize by making the switch.
The environmental impact of compact fluorescents is also noteworthy: each bulb saves approximately 330 kilowatt hours of electricity over its life, resulting in a reduction of about 400 pounds of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Compact fluorescents also generate 70 percent less heat than standard bulbs, reducing the need for air conditioning and cutting electricity use due to lighting another 20 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. (For more information on energy efficiency for buildings, visit http://eere.energy.gov/states/alternatives/buildings.cfm.)
One way to implement a change at the local level is to make the benefits clear to residents and municipal employees. The towns of Andover and North Andover leveraged their friendly rivalry to encourage the switch to energy-efficient bulbs. The communities are holding a contest to see which town can get more pledges from residents to change from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents by April 30. Cities and towns that use programs to gain bulb buy-in from residents may be able to use it as a foundation for other conservation measures.
For cities and towns to support the use of compact fluorescents, it is important to offer access to a recycling center for these products. Because fluorescent bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury, they should be disposed of in the proper way (not thrown into the garbage where they could be broken). Municipalities should promote a convenient drop-off location. For more information on bulb recycling centers in your region, visit www.earth911.org.
Cities and towns can consider other lighting efficiency measures in addition to switching to compact fluorescents. Energy Star offers traffic signals that use high-efficiency light emitting diode (LED) technology. These signals use 90 percent less energy and can last up to 10 years (compared to two years for traditional traffic lights). For buildings, occupancy sensors can reduce energy consumed for lighting by between 30 and 35 percent.
Constellation NewEnergy, the endorsed supplier for the MMA’s MunEnergy program, can help communities manage energy costs. For more information, contact MunEnergy Program Manager Emily Neill at (617) 772-7530 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
About MMA MunEnergy Compact fluorescent bulbs reduce energy costs
Compact fluorescent bulbs reduce energy costs
For cities and towns looking to cut energy costs through efficiency measures, the first and easiest step is changing the light bulbs.
The switch to energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs has been making headlines recently as countries, states and municipalities have called for replacing incandescent bulbs.
In March, the European Union followed Australia’s lead with plans to gradually mandate a switch to the energy-saving bulbs. In the United States, California and New Jersey are looking to follow suit, while the city of Chicago is giving away 500,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs through its “Smart Bulb Program.”
Why the spotlight on bulbs? The benefits make a strong case. According to OneBillionBulbs.com, based on the average cost of electricity in Massachusetts as of May 2006, a household could save about $93 per year for every five 100W standard incandescent light bulbs replaced with five 25W compact fluorescent bulbs. This is a fraction of the savings cities and towns could realize by making the switch.
The environmental impact of compact fluorescents is also noteworthy: each bulb saves approximately 330 kilowatt hours of electricity over its life, resulting in a reduction of about 400 pounds of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Compact fluorescents also generate 70 percent less heat than standard bulbs, reducing the need for air conditioning and cutting electricity use due to lighting another 20 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. (For more information on energy efficiency for buildings, visit http://eere.energy.gov/states/alternatives/buildings.cfm.)
One way to implement a change at the local level is to make the benefits clear to residents and municipal employees. The towns of Andover and North Andover leveraged their friendly rivalry to encourage the switch to energy-efficient bulbs. The communities are holding a contest to see which town can get more pledges from residents to change from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents by April 30. Cities and towns that use programs to gain bulb buy-in from residents may be able to use it as a foundation for other conservation measures.
For cities and towns to support the use of compact fluorescents, it is important to offer access to a recycling center for these products. Because fluorescent bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury, they should be disposed of in the proper way (not thrown into the garbage where they could be broken). Municipalities should promote a convenient drop-off location. For more information on bulb recycling centers in your region, visit www.earth911.org.
Cities and towns can consider other lighting efficiency measures in addition to switching to compact fluorescents. Energy Star offers traffic signals that use high-efficiency light emitting diode (LED) technology. These signals use 90 percent less energy and can last up to 10 years (compared to two years for traditional traffic lights). For buildings, occupancy sensors can reduce energy consumed for lighting by between 30 and 35 percent.
Constellation NewEnergy, the endorsed supplier for the MMA’s MunEnergy program, can help communities manage energy costs. For more information, contact MunEnergy Program Manager Emily Neill at (617) 772-7530 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Written by MunEnergy Program Manager Emily Neill
