HUGHESVILLE, Md. (April 24, 2017)—Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) announced that its residential customer-members have purchased three million ENERGY STAR bulbs since 2010, resulting in more than 128,000 megawatt-hours in energy savings. The energy savings are the equivalent of taking more than 19,000 passenger vehicles off the road for one year, or removing carbon dioxide emissions from more than 10 million gallons of gasoline consumed.
SMECO's Lighting Program encourages customers to replace their incandescent bulbs with energy-saving lighting by offering in-store discounts up to $7 per bulb at local participating retailers. ENERGY STAR bulbs use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Because they require less energy to produce the same amount of light, they help to protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and save money on energy costs.
"LED technology has advanced rapidly and ENERGY STAR bulbs are now more affordable for SMECO customer-members, especially when they take advantage of instant discounts," said Jennifer Raley, Energy and Technology Programs Manager, Demand Side Management for SMECO. "This three-million-bulb milestone confirms our commitment to helping southern Maryland residents save energy and money."
Lighting discounts are just one way SMECO helps its customers reduce energy usage in support of the EmPOWER Maryland goal to reduce energy consumption in the state. Raley added, "SMECO offers programs to businesses and commercial facilities, as well as rebates on heat pumps and other household appliances. Improving energy efficiency is an effective way to reduce energy costs."
More information on SMECO's Lighting Program, along with other programs designed to save energy and money, is available at SMECO.coop/save.