Affordable cutting edge LED light bulbs brighten Puget Sound marketplace

Puget Sound Energy announced last week the wide availability of light emitting diode (LED) bulbs and fixtures for the utility’s residential electric customers at participating retail stores. As the country phases out incandescent bulb technology in favor of more efficient and longer lasting options, LED technology has been viewed as a long term solution – though a costly solution. LED bulbs are now widely available and, with a variety of rebates and discounts, are becoming more affordable to everyday consumers for the first time.

LED bulbs use up to 80 percent less energy while producing the same quality and brightness of light that customers are used to getting from old incandescent bulbs. ENERGY STAR®-qualified LED bulbs also have an average life span of up to 25,000 hours or up to 25 years, compared to incandescent bulbs which can last up to 1,000 hours and ENERGY STAR-qualified compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs which can last up to 10,000 hours. While an LED bulb isn’t significantly more energy efficient than a CFL bulb, its long life makes it more cost effective. Most LED bulbs are dimmable, making them a great solution for kitchen and dining room lights.

“For the last few years, the high price of LED bulbs has prevented many consumers from investing in the efficient and long lasting bulbs,” said Cal Shirley, vice president of Customer Solutions at PSE. “LED bulbs are a great technology; they save energy and last an incredibly long time. Now that the price of LED bulbs has dropped and with available discounts, the era of the LED bulb has arrived. At PSE we’re doing what we can to support consumer adoption of efficient technology that helps customers save energy and money.”

For each incandescent bulb replaced with an LED bulb, customers save about $6 per year in energy costs. The average household can save $150 a year in energy costs by replacing the 25 most frequently used lights in the home with LED bulbs.

To help customers pick the best LED bulbs for their needs and to help familiarize customers with LED technology, PSE has the following tips:

1. If you’re looking for a great deal on LED bulbs, PSE offers up to $10 off a variety of LED bulbs and fixtures that meet ENERGY STAR specifications at participating retailers, which can be found at PSE.com/LightingRetailers.

2. Consider bundling additional energy-saving gadgets, such as motion sensors, with your LED purchase. This will allow you to start shifting to LED bulbs while adding hands-free lighting controls at home.

PSE’s LED bulb tips can be viewed at Flickr.com/PugetSoundEnergy in the PSE’s LED Bulb Tips album. To learn more about LED bulbs and available PSE rebates, visit PSE.com/LEDs or call a PSE Energy Advisor at 1-800-562-1482, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

--Information from Puget Sound Energy