Nonprofits can swap light bulbs, save energy, earn cash

The Kohala Center and Blue Planet Foundation are looking for ten community organizations or school groups to help exchange a total of 5,000 incandescent bulbs for energy-saving compact florescent light bulbs by the end of May. Each group participating in the fundraiser can earn up to $500 by exchanging old-style bulbs with CFL bulbs at no cost to residents. Groups will receive a dollar for each old bulb exchanged.

CFL bulbs help people save money and energy, using only about one fourth of the electricity of an old-style bulb and they can last ten times longer. This bulb exchange will support the environment by reducing carbon emissions from burning oil and coal to make electricity. The program will also inform the public on other ways to save energy and money at home.

“CFL bulbs need less electricity to produce the same amount of light,” said Guy Kaulukukui, exchange project coordinator for The Kohala Center. “Replacing five bulbs in a Hawai‘i Island home could save a family $103 per year at current electric rates. And replacing 500 60-watt incandescent bulbs with our 13-watt CFLs will keep over 375 barrels of oil from being used to make electricity. That means avoiding the air pollution from tons of carbon dioxide. Plus, compared to incandescent bulbs, CFLs, when used properly, last up to ten times longer and produce 90 percent less heat, while producing more light per watt.”

Community or school groups interested in participating may e-mail The Kohala Center, bulbexchange@kohalacenter.org. Please include dates and times when the group coordinator is available to meet with bulb exchange project coordinators. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participating groups will work under an agreement with the Blue Planet Foundation to exchange a minimum of 500 incandescent bulbs for CFLs. The Kohala Center and Blue Planet will present to each group an educational slide show on Hawai‘i’s clean energy future and the impacts of climate change on the earth. The project includes distributing information to the public about the cost savings associated with consuming less energy.