Spring Break
UConn Shines A Light On Energy Efficiency
Lillianna Baczeski
Issue date: 10/12/05 Section: News
Free compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs will be given out to students today at the Co-op. Connecticut Light and Power and the UConn Office of Environmental Policy are co-sponsoring the event in an effort to increase energy awareness and conservation on campus.
CFL bulbs last six to 10 times longer than normal incandescent light bulbs, while using only one-fifth of the electricity needed by incandescent bulbs, according to a press release from the Office of Environmental Policy.
Using less power means electrical power plants are creating less gas emissions, in turn benefiting the environment.
It is estimated that if every household in America replaced one bulb with a CFL, it would be equivalent to taking 1 million cars off the road, in terms of the reduction of emissions in greenhouse gases.
"This is an excellent opportunity for outreach to the university community," said Jessica Kukielka, an Office of Environmental Policy intern. "It is a great way for the student and faculty population to test out these light bulbs for no cost."
CFL bulbs were also given out over the summer during the freshmen Textbooks-To-Go program. According to Kukielka, the only negative impact of the giveaway was some of the bulbs were broken because they were handed out in bags of heavy textbooks.
The giveaway is part of a campaign called, "Change a Light, Change the World," created by Energy Star, a government sponsored program trying to help businesses and individuals, "protect the environment through superior energy efficiency."
The bulb giveaway also coincides with the fact October is designated "Energy Awareness Month."
"People need light bulbs in general anyway, having CFL bulbs available for a free trial run will show people that they function the same way as incandescent bulbs," Kukielka said. "They have environmental benefits and are cost effective, in which case I feel people will be encouraged to buy them in the future."
The giveaway is part of the Office of Environmental Policy's attempt to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases generated by the use of electricity by the university.
CFL bulbs last six to 10 times longer than normal incandescent light bulbs, while using only one-fifth of the electricity needed by incandescent bulbs, according to a press release from the Office of Environmental Policy.
Using less power means electrical power plants are creating less gas emissions, in turn benefiting the environment.
It is estimated that if every household in America replaced one bulb with a CFL, it would be equivalent to taking 1 million cars off the road, in terms of the reduction of emissions in greenhouse gases.
"This is an excellent opportunity for outreach to the university community," said Jessica Kukielka, an Office of Environmental Policy intern. "It is a great way for the student and faculty population to test out these light bulbs for no cost."
CFL bulbs were also given out over the summer during the freshmen Textbooks-To-Go program. According to Kukielka, the only negative impact of the giveaway was some of the bulbs were broken because they were handed out in bags of heavy textbooks.
The giveaway is part of a campaign called, "Change a Light, Change the World," created by Energy Star, a government sponsored program trying to help businesses and individuals, "protect the environment through superior energy efficiency."
The bulb giveaway also coincides with the fact October is designated "Energy Awareness Month."
"People need light bulbs in general anyway, having CFL bulbs available for a free trial run will show people that they function the same way as incandescent bulbs," Kukielka said. "They have environmental benefits and are cost effective, in which case I feel people will be encouraged to buy them in the future."
The giveaway is part of the Office of Environmental Policy's attempt to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases generated by the use of electricity by the university.