Oct. 19, 2007 — Virgin Islands residents can do their part to save energy and the environment by joining the second CFL Caravan hosted by the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Saturday and Sunday.
WAPA, an Energy Star partner, will again distribute three free compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) to electric customers at 17 locations across the territory as part of its Change a Light, Change the World campaign. The campaign was initiated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help preserve energy resources and reduce the possible risks of global climate change while helping customers save money and time buying and changing lights.
Energy Star qualified bulbs use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. At current WAPA rates, each installed 13-watt CFL which is equivalent to a 60 watt incandescent bulb will save the user approximately $120 during its 8,000 hour life.
The EPA has determined that if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb, the nation would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, save more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
To save the most energy and money, customers should replace their highest used fixtures or the light bulbs in them with energy-efficient models. The five highest use fixtures in a home are typically the kitchen ceiling lights, the living or family room table and floor lamps, and outdoor porch or post lamp. WAPA customers can use CFL’s for lighting needs in every part of their homes or businesses and are urged to encourage local merchants to carry a wider variety of Energy Star rated CFL’s.
CFL’s come in various wattages, shapes and sizes. Incandescent light bulbs are better heaters than light providers so they are not as safe to operate and can actually increase energy costs associated with cooling in homes or businesses.
WAPA customers should bring three old incandescent light bulbs and their most recent electric bill between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to the following locations:
St. Croix:
Saturday and Sunday at Canegata Ballpark;
Saturday only at Sunny Isle Shopping Center adjacent to KMART, Golden Rock Shopping Center, and D. Hamilton Jackson Park in Grove Place;
Sunday only at Midre Cummings Playground in Frederiksted, Williams Delight Community Center, and Sion Farm adjacent to Island Dairies.
St. John: Saturday at the Cruz Bay Bandstand and Sunday at Coral Bay Ballpark.
St. Thomas: Saturday at Trinity Methodist Church in Bovoni, Apostolic Faith Church in Smith Bay, Emile Griffith Ballpark, and Fortuna Multi-Purpose Center;
Sunday at Al McBean Ballpark in Old Tutu, Smith Bay Ballpark, Contant-Knolls Community Center, and Dorothea Playground.
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