Region 1: EPA New England
Change a Light and Help Change the World
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
By Robert W. Varney
October 21, 2005
Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf Coast region last month, the focus on energy supply and consumption has been pushed to the forefront more than ever before. Most Americans continue to ask, “How can I play a role in helping the region and the country recover from these disasters?” Well, one simple thing that all of us can do in these difficult times is to help improve energy efficiency and conserve energy.
Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency together with the Department of Energy kicked off the annual "Energy Star Change a Light, Change the World Campaign" and urged Americans to change a light in their home to a more energy-efficient one as an important step to save energy and protect our environment.
We are very proud of the leadership on this issue in our own region. All six New England Governors are participating directly in Energy Star’s fall campaigns to promote lighting upgrades and other home improvements to increase energy efficiency, save money, and reduce air pollution.
The simple act of replacing just one incandescent light bulb in every U.S. home with one that earned the Energy Star label will save the nation $600 million in energy bills. That is enough energy to light 7 million homes, and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1 million cars.
Lighting accounts for nearly 20 percent of electricity costs, with the average home containing more than 30 light fixtures. Energy Star qualified bulbs and fixtures help reduce household energy costs because they use one-third the energy of traditional lighting, and last up to 10 times longer. Consumers can save up to $25 in utility costs over the lifetime of one bulb. Replacing the most frequently used lights at home will yield the most savings.
And lighting is just one of the many easy adjustments we can make at home. Saving energy at home is as simple as looking for the Energy Star label when purchasing household appliances and products. Dozens of common household appliances and products carry the Energy Star label, including: refrigerators, washing machines, consumer electronics, lighting, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, heating equipment, computer monitors, and much more. When you buy an Energy Star labeled product, you’re getting one of the most energy efficient products in that category – without sacrificing quality, features or performance.
How much does the simple act of looking for the Energy Star label help our environment? In 2004 alone, Energy Star partners and products saved 135 billion kilowatt hours of electricity nationwide – more than total annual electricity sales in New England – while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 20 million vehicles. Even more impressive, this was accomplished while saving consumers and businesses about $10 billion on their energy bills. You can visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937) for more information.
So I urge all New Englanders to take a pledge to replace at least one incandescent bulb or fixture in your home with one that has earned the Energy Star label. By taking simple steps to improve our energy efficiency, we can help preserve our environment for future generations, while saving money on energy bills. This is a no-lose proposition and gives all of us a hand in helping in the ongoing recovery efforts.
Robert W. Varney is regional administrator of EPA's New England Office in Boston.