Light Bulb Exchange Nets $44K in Savings for Utility Customers

Hundreds of Kissimmee Utility Authority customers will enjoy an estimated $44,389 in energy savings during the next year, thanks to a free light bulb exchange hosted by the utility on Nov. 8.

Kissimmee, Fla. (PRWEB) November 13, 2008 -- Hundreds of Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) customers will enjoy an estimated $44,389 in energy savings during the next year, thanks to a free light bulb exchange hosted by the utility on Nov. 8.

The bulb exchange -- where utility customers could swap up to five of their incandescent light bulbs for energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) -- was part of Great Outdoor Days, an annual outdoor festival featuring a variety of conservation and environmental exhibits. KUA employees distributed 2,488 CFL bulbs during the seven-hour event.

"Lighting is one of the easiest places to start saving energy," said Scott Grieves, KUA's senior conservation specialist. "Replacing the bulbs in your five most frequently used light fixtures with CFL bulbs can save more than $85 a year in energy costs."

To determine the savings, KUA used the following formula: 2,488 incandescent bulbs x 60 watts x 8 hours per day x 365 days per year x average kilowatt-hour rate of 13 cents divided by 1000 = $56,667. 2,488 CFL bulbs x 13 watts x 8 hours per day x 365 days per year x average kilowatt-hour rate of 13 cents divided by 1000 = $12,278. Cost savings ($56,667 - $12,278) = $44,389.

KUA provides customers with a variety of energy savings tips and tools at www.kua.com/resources.

Founded in 1901, KUA (www.kua.com) is Florida's sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric and telecommunication services to 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties.

# # #