September 3, 2001—The DOEs program to introduce better-performing, lower-cost subcompact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) will soon be turned over to the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a nonprofit group of electric utilities, state governments, public interest groups, and industry representatives that will launch a private venture to support retail sales of sub-CFL products in the marketplace.
According to DOE, the program has distributed about three million CFLs to American consumers, who have saved more than $22 million in energy costs each year.
Compact fluorescent lamps use about one-fourth less energy and last up to ten times longer than typical light bulbs. Homeowners who replace 25 percent of their most-used lights with CFLs can save about 50 percent on their lighting bill, DOE says.
The alliance plans to increase the market share of these easy-to-use subcompact fluorescent lamps by promoting sales to retail outlets in the Pacific Northwest through its new Web site. The site provides retailers, utilities, and other large volume buyers with a streamlined ordering process, tips on merchandising these products, and access to sales training and other support available through the alliance’s Northwest Energy Star Lighting Initiative.
