Look for the Simple Steps, Smart Savings sign when shopping for compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and low-flow showerheads at several local retailers. The sign indicates products that are discounted as part of a Chelan County PUD program to bring savings to consumers.

Customers will find prices already marked down on compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), indoor hard-wired fixtures and low-flow showerheads. Markdowns range from about 50 cents below suggested retail for general purpose CFLs to up to $7 on energy-saving showerheads.

Items available through the Simple Steps, Smart Savings program include:

• Twist CFLs – Regular Twists, Daylight Twists and A-Lamps
• Specialty CFLs – Reflectors, Globes, Candelabras, Torpedo Bulbs and Outdoor Lighting
• Fixtures – Indoor Hard-Wired Fixtures
• Showerheads – Those using 2.0 gallons per minute or less (showerhead discounts available at Costco and Fred Meyer only)

To find the store nearest you, visit the PUD website. Remember to recycle your used CFLS at any PUD office.

Bryce Newberry

Fourteen-year-old Bryce Newberry of Wenatchee has entered a national young reporters contest with a news clip about saving energy.

Newberry submitted the video for a chance to become a featured reporter for Teen Kids News, a national half-hour weekly program that focuses on events and issues affecting teens. The program airs Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. on KING-TV, Seattle. According to its website, Teen Kids News “highlights positive stories about kids doing amazing things and helping to make the world a better place.”

Newberry’s clip includes an interview with staff at Chelan County PUD, and reminds viewers to check insulation in their homes, switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, use the dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes, and keep the thermostat at reasonable settings.

This is the second time Newberry has entered a Teen Kids News contest. Last year his clip on the future of newspapers made it to the contest’s top 10. Newberry also has been a special guest on KOMO News in Seattle after broadcasters there saw a videotape Newberry made of himself imitating the KOMO Morning News crew.

Newberry said he’s wanted to be a newscaster for several years. His career goal is to work for a major network.

Winners in the Teen Kids News contest are chosen by popular vote. Voting begins Sept. 12 on the Teen Kids News website. Viewers can vote once a day.

Watch Newberry’s video here.

Chelan County PUD will distribute free compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to customers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. Drive in to your nearest office in Wenatchee, Leavenworth or Chelan to receive a bag of 20 free, energy-saving bulbs.

The 13-watt bulbs replace 60-watt incandescent bulbs. The bulbs have a light output of 900 lumens, with an average life of 10,000 hours. In Chelan County homes, using one 13-watt CFL will save an average of $15 over the life of the bulb.

Customers must show a recent PUD electric bill when picking up the bulbs. Offer available while supplies last.

In the average U.S. home, lighting accounts for about 20 percent of the electric bill. The easiest way to start saving energy is to change light bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

Learn more about CFLs and changes to federal lighting standards on the Chelan PUD website. You can also calculate your savings by switching to CFLs. Recycle used CFLs at PUD offices in Wenatchee, Leavenworth and Chelan.

A 72-watt halogen bulb gives off the same amount of light (lumens) as a 100-watt incandescent bulb.

Free CFLs available at Chelan County PUD 

If you missed out on getting free compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) from Chelan County PUD last year, you’ll have another chance this year. The PUD plans to distribute about 40,000 CFLs to customers who missed the opportunity in 2010.  

The 2011 distribution is planned for late summer. But customers interested in receiving the bulbs now can contact the PUD to make arrangements; call (509) 661-8008.  

There has been some confusion about new federal standards encouraging use of CFLs which go into effect in 2012.  Old-fashioned incandescent bulbs will soon disappear, but there is no outright ban. Congress enacted legislation – the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 – requiring manufacturers to develop light bulbs that produce the same amount of brightness (lumens) with less energy (watts). The more stringent standards mean incandescent light bulbs must become at least 28 percent more efficient. In other words, the everyday, 100-watt bulb will have to produce the same brightness by using 72 watts or less.  

CFLs are only one option. Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting is becoming more popular and affordable. And an advanced 72-watt halogen incandescent has been developed that provides the same brightness while using less energy.  

Approximately 90 percent of the electricity used by traditional incandescent bulbs is wasted as heat instead of visible light. Replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with more efficient CFL, LED or halogen bulbs will save consumers money on energy while still offering the same amount of light.  

The new standard does not affect the existing supply of incandescent light bulbs stocked in retail stores or incandescent light bulbs already in use.  

The transition to new lighting standards will take place as follows:  

100 watts – January 1, 2012
75 watts – January 1, 2013
60 watts – January 1, 2014
40 watts – January 1, 2014  

A good discussion of the new standards and options for consumers is available on the Alliance to Save Energy website and at energysavers.gov.  

Related articles
Kiss your 100-watt light bulb goodbye (Yahoo)
Why the incandescent deserves its death (Home Energy Pros)
It’s lights out for old bulbs at Sears Canada (Montreal Gazette)

Lots to do in Wenatchee, Leavenworth and Chelan

Chelan County PUD conservation staff will be out in full force on Earth Day April 23, showing customers how to reduce their energy use and, if weather permits, operating the popular solar splash fountain. 

In Wenatchee, Conservation staff will be at Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PUD energy experts will talk to customers about where to look for energy-saving opportunities in their homes and how to save on utility bills by choosing the best products, including Energy Star-rated products. The PUD is participating in a regional program called Simple Steps Smart Savings that reduces the cost to consumers of energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs and low-flow showerheads. 

In a salute to Earth Day, Lowe’s will give away 1 million trees across its 1,700 stores. No purchase is necessary. Each store will have at least 500 trees that are regionally appropriate. Customers will be able to register their trees at www.lowes.com/earthday, and each tree will be virtually planted on a U.S. map. Lowe’s is located at 1200 Walla Walla Ave. 

In Leavenworth, the Earth Day Fair runs from noon to 4 p.m. at Lions Club Park. Following up on the just-completed Reduce Your Use Contest, PUD staff will talk about how all customers can improve energy efficiency by doing simple things such as caulking around windows, sealing leaky ductwork and adding insulation in their homes. The popular solar splash fountain will be running for kids to enjoy. Chelan PUD is a co-sponsor of this year’s fair along with the Port of Chelan County, Stevens Pass Ski Area and Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort. The theme is “Think Local First” with a focus on buying from local, independently owned businesses to promote environmental, economic and social sustainability. Information about other activities at the fair is available on the Barn Beach Reserve website. 

Chelan’s venerable Earth Day Fair runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Riverwalk Park. The fair features an alternative-fueled vehicle exhibit including the Chelan School District’s plug-in/hybrid/bio-diesel school bus, which is the only one in Washington state. Local farmers will be represented with information on locally grown food. Children’s activities and entertainment are in the mix as well.  Details about Chelan’s celebration are available by contacting Bee Murphy, (509) 682-5756.