Pedernales Electric is offering its members a free compact fluorescent light bulb, which uses less electricity and lasts longer than incandescent light bulbs. (Courtesy Photo)

CFLs use less electricity, produce less greenhouse gas emissions and last longer than incandescent bulbs. Each PEC member who replaces one standard bulb with a CFL could save $40 in energy charges over the 10,000-hour lifetime of one CFL.

“The bulbs we’re offering our members are recommended by Energy Star®,” said PEC Assistant General Manager Jeanell Davis. “Members will be able to see the savings in energy charges and the benefits of conservation in their own homes.”

If all 214,000 PEC members replaced one 60-watt incandescent bulb with PEC’s 14-watt CFL, they would prevent 39.8 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per day from entering the atmosphere. Together, they also would save 39,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day for the life of the bulb.

“We encourage members to use additional CFLs,” Davis said. “If we replace more standard bulbs with CFLs, we’ll save more money and have a greater impact on the environment.”

To pick up their free CFLs, members should take the “How Many Lightbulbs Does It Take to Change Texas?” postcard they receive by mail in June to any of PEC’s 15 local offices during business hours. For more information on Pedernales Electric’s Green Works initiative and for office locations, visit www.pec.coop.