Today In Mississippi

Savvy Santas stuff stockings
with low-cost energy savers

By Michael Callahan
Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Executive Vice President/CEO

Here’s an idea for a holiday gift that will save the recipient money every time it is used: a package of compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs).

Granted, light bulbs are not very glamorous gifts. But if your gift list includes someone on a tight budget—say, a senior citizen or college student— some CFLs would make a welcomed stocking stuffer.

A CFL costs more to buy, but it uses a fraction of the electricity consumed by a standard incandescent bulb of comparable wattage.

Over its life span of four and a half years, a single CFL will yield energy savings of $62.95.

And the CFL will last an average of 10 times longer, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

So why aren’t we all using CFLs? A recent article in Newsweek suggested Americans can’t get past the “sticker shock” of CFLs. But, when you consider the real economy of switching to them, the decision becomes an easy one.

Using energy-efficient lighting is only a baby step toward reducing our total energy use. Americans are going to have to rethink the way we use electricity every day if we are to hold down its cost as much as possible. Soaring demand for electricity and the need for more generation to produce it will mean higher electric bills in the future.

One way you can prepare is to commit now to making energy efficiency part of your daily life. Switching to CFLs is a good first step. And since this is the season for giving, consider helping a friend or family member on a fixed income reduce his or her electric bill. If your church or civic group is looking for a charitable holiday project, helping a low-income family use less energy will deliver some real cost-saving benefits for months to come.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Insulate the water heater storage tank with an inexpensive pre-cut jacket or blanket, available at home-improvement stores. This will save from 4 to 9 percent in water heating costs. Set the water heater thermostat no higher than 130 degrees to prevent wiring from overheating.

Apply weatherstripping or caulk to stop air leaks in windows and door frames.

Make or buy draft dodgers, those long pillow-like tubes of fabric used to plug air gaps beneath exterior doors and windows.

Install a low-flow shower head to reduce hot water use.

Clean or replace the heating system’s air filter.

Give gifts of warm clothing: sweaters, jackets, socks, slippers, hats and scarves.

Install a programmable thermostat and set it to about 68 degrees in the winter. Program it to drop a few degrees lower after bedtime.

An electric blanket or mattress pad is an efficient and safe way to provide extra heat while sleeping.

Don’t forget to present your lucky recipient with a package of CFLs. Then wish him or her a happy, more energy-efficient New Year.

PAST EDITORIALS

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi
P.O. Box 3300 Ridgeland, Mississippi 39158-3300 phone 601.605.8600 fax 601.605.8601