Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative

Steuben REC, Inc. is offering a line of Energy Star compact fluorescent light bulbs that can reduce your energy consumption. Stop by the office and purchase some today! Check out our product list and how to choose which bulb is right for you.

Top 10 Ways to Save with Lighting

Change five lights. Replace your home's five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with models that have earned the government's ENERGY STAR and save about $60 a year in energy costs. The 5 highest-use lights are typically found in the kitchen, family and livingroom, bathroom, and outdoor areas (such as a porch or post lamp).

Get 1 instead of 10. Compact fluorescent lamps (CLFs) last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs, saving you time buying and replacing bulbs, and an average of $30 or more in energy costs over the life of each bulb. For each CFL you buy, you save as many as 10 trips to buy an incandescent bulb!

Look to lumens (not watts) for light. When selecting energy-efficient light bulbs, use lumens, or light output, as the guide to getting the right bulb. Energy-efficient lighting will provide the same amount of light or more while using fewer watts.

Consider the environmental savings. Your home can cause twice as many greenhouse gas emissions as your car! Most U.S. homes still get their electricity from power plants that burn fossil fuels and release greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. Every CFL can prevent more than 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Every bit helps to reduce the risks of global climate change.

Use dimmers. Dimmers not only allow you to set a mood by providing a range of light output, but can also help decrease energy costs associated with lighting. When buying CFL bulbs and fixtures, check the packaging first to be sure that it will perform well on a dimmer.

Flip a switch when leaving a room. Saving energy and money can start by not wasting energy. When you leave a room, turn off the light and see the savings.

Safety first. The bulb in a halogen torchiere lamp burns at between 700-1,100 degrees Fahrenheit - hot enough to fry an egg - signaling a lot of wasted energy and money. To save energy, consider replacing it with a fixture that's earned the ENERGY STAR and operates at cooler, safer temperatures.

Put your lights on a schedule. Make sure your lights are on only when you need them. Install timers that automatically turn lights off and on according to your needs. Use motion detectors on outdoor security fixtures to prevent their being on all night. Use photo cells or photo sensors on outdoor lighting to allow lights to come on only when the sun is down. All ENERGY STAR qualified outdoor fixtures come with photocells or photo sensors.

Keep your cool with a ceiling fan. Are your using an old ceiling fan to cool and light a room in your home? When you're ready to replace it, choose an ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fan/light combination model. It will use half the energy of a traditional ceiling fan with lighting.

Be part of a bigger change. Take the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge at www:energystar.gov/changealight and join a growing community of people committing to change at least one light at home, to help ensure a brighter future.