120 homeowners take part in energy saving promotion

Their lights are on, but their electric bills will be going down for 120 CNMI homeowners who bought Energy Star ® Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs this Saturday at Ace Hardware in Susupe and YCO True Value Hardware in Garapan.

Under the public-private sector partnership to conserve energy, the energy star CFLs were on sale at Ace and YCO Hardware and the CNMI Energy Division was on hand to give away one free CFL for every CFL purchased from the participating hardware as part of the Energy Star ® Awareness Project.

“The Buy 1/Get 1 Free Energy Star Awareness CFL promotion was off to a great start and was very successful,” said Energy director Thelma B. Inos.

Customers were purchasing energy savings bulbs when they saw how much savings they will be making based on the demonstration lighting comparison kit. The initial promotion was to educate the public about the Energy Star ® Label Awareness and the savings on purchasing any energy star labeled CFL’s or appliances/equipments and ”we will be doing it again this Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005.”

The Energy Office and the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs will be at Ace Hardware in Gualo Rai and YCO/Do It Best Hardware in Chalan Piao from 8am to 12 noon for the Energy Star ® Awareness CFL promotion.

Ace manager Doug Hanson, said his company was happy to be working with the government to promote energy savings. “It’s good for our business, and it’s good for the community. What could be better!”

The Energy Office wants to let the people know that they will use less electricity with these energy savings bulbs and still have the same bright lightings they are used to in their homes. The energy-saving bulbs produce the same brightness using fewer watts of electricity. The energy star saving bulbs costs more than the regular incandescent bulbs, but uses less power, so it will quickly repay the initial cost. One 15-watt CFL produces the same light as the 60-watt incandescent but with $13.57 savings less per year. The energy savings bulbs also last longer than the regular bulbs.

“Plus, with the energy savings in lighting, your utility bill will go down,” said Inos. “So, using energy saving bulbs is one good answer to the fuel surcharge on our bills and on lowering demand load at the power plant.”

“The fastest way to end power outages,” added Inos, “is for everyone to conserve energy (use less electricity) by turning off lights when not in use, turn on water heater at least 30 minutes to an hour before shower and then turn it off immediately, set your air conditioner thermostat to 78°, or use a fan instead of aircon.”

The “Buy 1/Get 1 Free” Energy Star Awareness CFL promotional project is part of the Commonwealth-wide conservation kicked off by Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente in July.

All government offices are to turn off lights, air conditioners, and computers at the end of the workday. The public can call the 24-hour hotline at 322-8004 to report lights on at any government buildings after working hours.

From May to June, 2005, the CNMI government cut energy use by 10 percent, saving taxpayers $82,847.

For more energy conservation information, contact the Energy Division at 664-4480/1/2. (PR)