WSU Lightbulb Exchange Ends Early after Distributing Thousands to Community
OGDEN, Utah –Weber State University’s sustainability programs and their community partners have officially ended a lightbulb exchange program early that provided more than 390 households with 5,482 energy-efficient LED lightbulbs.
Empower Northern Utah sponsors originally anticipated it would take 10 weeks to distribute several thousand bulbs, but after the first two weeks, they realized the community demand for efficient lighting was much higher than expected.
“The initial response to the exchange was phenomenal,” said Chase Wilson, community program coordinator for WSU’s Sustainability Practices and Research Center (SPARC). “To witness the community turn out in such numbers for an energy-efficiency program was inspiring. The program was an absolute success.”
SPARC purchased an additional 2,000 LED bulbs in an attempt to prolong the program. However, after six weeks of exchange events, Empower Northern Utah gave out the last LED lightbulbs on Oct. 19.
While the community exchanges have ended, several hundred bulbs are still available through the Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) program for residents who qualify. Over 150 participants at the community exchanges were from low-income households.
The Weber State sustainability team ran the light bulb exchange both to cut residential energy costs and to reduce climate-changing emissions.
“It is remarkable that by simply changing bulbs participating residents will collectively save approximately $35,000 in lighting bills each year, while supporting a healthier environment,” said Alice Mulder, SPARC director.
A collaboration of WSU organizations sponsored the exchange, including SPARC, the Energy & Sustainability Office, Center for Community Engaged Learning, as well as Ogden City, HEAT, Rocky Mountain Power, Weber County Library’s Main Branch and Utah Clean Energy.
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Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu- Contact:
Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu