Xcel Energy to Discount Over 2.4 Million CFLs in 2011

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) March 29, 2011 - Xcel Energy will discount more than 2.4 million compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs for Colorado, Minnesota and New Mexico residential electricity customers in 2011. Xcel Energy aims to help customers use less energy to reduce the need to build additional power plants and help diminish the impact on the environment.  

Customers can purchase a variety of discounted bulbs with one energy-efficient CFLs for as little as $1 each (bulbs may be available only in multi-packs). Customers that purchase a CFL for $1 and install it can expect to see it pay back in energy savings in approximately three months. They’ll also continue to save energy over the life of the bulb, which is up to 7 – 10 years, providing up to $50 in energy savings.

Xcel Energy will offer special prices at participating retailers throughout the year. Customers can find retailers in their area that are offering discounted bulbs by visiting responsiblebynature.com or m.responsiblebynature.com on their mobile devices. The website offers CFL energy savings information and a zip code locater to find retailers. Special prices are available while supplies last.

Xcel Energy is offering the special low prices on CFLs that have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR label. In addition to helping protect the environment, by replacing one incandescent bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, customers can reduce their energy bills by up to $50 over the life of each 60-watt equivalent bulb.

“Replacing the most frequently used incandescent light bulbs in your home with ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs is an easy way to save money and help protect the environment because compact fluorescent light bulbs conserve energy,” said Kim Sherman, Xcel Energy Product Portfolio Manager. “If residential customers replace the five most-used incandescent bulbs in their homes with compact fluorescent bulbs, they could save up to $25 the first year in electricity costs.”

The most frequently used lights in a home include kitchen lights, living room table and floor lamps, bathroom vanity lights and outdoor porch or post lamps. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than typical incandescent light bulbs and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

Customers can locate participating stores or get information by visiting our new website: http://www.responsiblebynature.com.

XCEL12660