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HOUGHTON—The Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) is holding its second Great LED Light Bulb Swap from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (April 23) at the Michigan Tech Lakeshore Center, in downtown Houghton.
The first 100 households that bring in an incandescent light bulb will each receive one free LED bulb. (Compact fluorescent bulbs will not be accepted.) In addition, there will be door prizes and special offers for both UPPCO and Ontonagon County REA customers.
LEDs use about one-sixth the power of incandescents, can last 20 years or more and, while they are more expensive, pay for themselves in lower electric bills in a matter of months.
For OCREA customers
OCREA is giving away a limited number of free LED bulbs and night lights to its customers who bring in a recent electric bill. Complimentary lap blankets and flashlights, plus information on rebates and other special deals for REA customers from the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corp., will also be available.
For UPPCO customers
The nonprofit Efficiency UNITED is offering deep discounts on LED bulbs to UPPCO customers, along with other energy-saving products for UPPCO and Semco customers. Their price for six 60-watt-equivalent LED bulbs is $10.
HEET will be on hand to discuss other energy-saving programs, including its weatherization initiatives and programs for income-qualified residents. Check http://newpowertour.com/led-program/ for income guidelines.
Plus, anyone who comes can take advantage of a free handout of energy-saving tips, courtesy of the Green Campus Enterprise at Michigan Technological University.
Free coffee and refreshments will be available.
The Great LED Light Bulb Swap is supported in part by a sponsorship grant from the Michigan Energy Office, a federally designated state agency within the Michigan Agency for Energy.
Manufacturer EarthTronics and the Houghton Walmart Superstore have donated light bulbs. Walmart is also providing refreshments, and Michigan Tech is donating the use of the community room in the Lakeshore Center.
Additional sponsors include Michigan Tech’s Sustainable Futures Institute and the university’s Rotaract chapter, a student affiliate of Rotary International.
The Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) is an ad hoc group of volunteers formed to help Houghton County compete for the Georgetown University Energy Prize. Approximately 50 regions nationwide are in the running for the $5 million prize, which challenges local communities to rethink their energy use and implement creative strategies to increase energy efficiency.
Acknowledgment: This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy and the Michigan Agency for Energy under Award Number DE-EE0006226.
