Contacts:
Lydia
Perez, Efficiency Maine, 207-287-7343, Lydia.Perez@maine.gov
Meaghan Muir, 978-525-3742, mmuir@haggman.com
GOVERNOR BALDACCI, EFFICIENCY MAINE, AND LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS
JOIN FORCES TO MAKE HOMES SAFER AND MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT
Augusta, Maine, October 16, 2003: Tucked away unnoticed in homes across Maine is a little-known hazard that has caused serious fires across the country.
This hazard is halogen torchiere floor lamps, which have been responsible for more than 530 fires, 36 deaths, and 138 injuries nationwide since 1992, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They can reach temperatures of 1,100 degrees F, hot enough to fry an egg, boil water or ignite a curtain in a matter of seconds.
Governor
John E. Baldacci is pleased to announce that for
the first time ever, Maine residents can turn in their used halogen torchieres
at a participating retailer (see attached list) and receive a $20 instant
rebate to apply towards the purchase of a new ENERGY STARÒ qualified torchiere throughout the month of October.
"This initiative offers an important financial
incentive to help Maine residents reduce their fire risk and lighting costs,
while decreasing our electricity consumption,” Governor Baldacci
commented. “I would encourage all
residents to turn in their old halogen lamps and join in this program.”
ENERGY STAR qualified torchieres are equipped with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) which operate at a much lower temperature and are about 70 percent cooler than halogen torchieres, greatly reducing the risk of a fire.
“Most people don’t realize how hazardous these lamps are,” says Maine State Fire Marshal John Dean “We are working with Governor Baldacci and Efficiency Maine to promote ENERGY STAR qualified torchiere lamps because they are much safer and use less energy.”
As an added bonus, ENERGY STAR qualified torchiere lamps use two-thirds less energy, last up to 10 times longer and are 20 percent brighter. The impact of these energy savings is dramatic. The average home has about 30 light fixtures. By replacing the five most frequently used light fixtures, or the light bulbs in them, with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR, consumers can save more than $60 a year in energy costs.
If every household in Maine replaced just one incandescent bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified light bulb, the change would save Maine residents over $4.5 million annually in energy costs. The environmental benefits would be similar to:
· Preventing 98.2 million pounds of coal from being burned.
· Removing the equivalent of 26,367 metric tons of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere.
·
Removing 18,438 cars from Maine roads.
Commissioner Sharon Reishus of the Maine Public Utilities
Commission adds, “When we all make small changes, like switching to ENERGY STAR
qualified lighting products, the environmental savings are significant. This program offers a terrific way to take
the first steps toward improving energy efficiency.”
The torchiere turn-in promotion in Maine is part of the
national 2003 “Change a Light, Change the World” campaign. Maine residents are challenged to join this
national effort to switch to bulbs and fixtures that have earned the ENERGY
STAR to save energy money and protect the environment.
Nationally, ENERGY STAR is launching a campaign that
features television’s renovation and design expert Steve Thomas performing an
energy-efficient lighting makeover at the Thomas Edison Winter Home in Fort
Myers, Florida. The home’s outdoor post lamps and porch lights will be changed
out with bulbs and fixtures that have earned the ENERGY STAR.
“When we think of ways to save energy in our homes, changing light bulbs and fixtures is one of the easiest and most effective things we can do,” says Wendy Reed of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “It’s a simple change that can make a big difference--saving energy and money, and helping to protect the environment.”
Efficiency Maine’s Residential Lighting Program works closely with manufacturers and lighting retailers to encourage them to produce and sell energy efficient lighting products to the residents of Maine. In addition to the $20 torchiere turn in rebate, consumers can take advantage of various money saving rebate offers. The program is currently offering a $2 instant rebate on ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent bulbs and $12 off ENERGY STAR qualified outdoor CFL hard-wired fixtures, indoor hard-wired fixtures, torchieres without a halogen trade in and hardwired ceiling fans with light kits. Participating retailers will deduct the rebate at the time of purchase. To learn more or for a list of participating retailers, visit www.efficiencymaine.com or call 1-866-376-2463.
Efficiency Maine is a
statewide effort to promote the more efficient use of electricity, help Maine
residents and businesses reduce energy costs, and improve Maine's
environment. Efficiency Maine is funded
by electricity consumers and administered by the Maine Public Utilities
Commission.
About ENERGY
STAR
ENERGY STAR makes it easy to identify energy-efficient choices in more than 35 product categories for home and office. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE). ENERGY STAR is a partnership between government, consumers, manufacturers, retailers and other industry organizations united by a common goal: to help protect our environment for future generations by changing to more energy-efficient practices today.
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