Bend Energy Challenge Installs 25,000th LED light bulb

The Bend Energy Challenge, Bend’s team in a national competition to save energy, has been installing free energy saving light bulbs — LEDs — at homes since last November, and just hit the 25,000 milestone.

The free LED program is a made possible through a collaboration with the Energy Trust of Oregon and Central Electric Cooperative.

The energy-saving devices have now been provided to 1,700 homes across Bend. LEDs use 80 percent less energy than their incandescent counterparts and can last up to 20 years.

This program is monumental, not only in the sheer number of homes reached, but in the monetary and energy savings, program officials said.

In addition to the 25,000 bulbs, 2,200 water-saving fixtures have also been installed.
The annual energy savings achieved by this program now total almost $185,000 annually.

These savings will reoccur every year in Bend for at least 20 years.

“One of the most amazing things about energy conservation is that it continually saves more money over time. As our utility prices increase, these savings are going to be amplified and save each and every home more money each year,” said Lindsey Hardy, project director of the Bend Energy Challenge. “Now that’s something to be excited about!”

Over the course of their lives, it is estimated that the LED bulbs and water-saving fixtures will save the Bend community $5 million.

The Bend Energy Challenge has set a goal of installing energy-saving LED bulbs and water fixtures in 2,500 Bend homes. If you haven’t had your bulbs installed yet, you have until the end of 2016 to do so.

Visit www.bendenergychallenge.org/freebulbs to see if you qualify for the program and to set up your appointment.