Canadians Make the Change to CFLs
Project Delivers a Million Energy Efficient Bulbs to Canadian Homes
A million Canadians have switched to energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) saving an estimated $50 million and 500,000 tons of greenhouse gasses a year
Project Porchlight, an effort sponsored in part by the non-profit group One Change, the Ontario Provencial Government, Ontario Trillium Foundation, and Ontario Power Authority, have successfully distributed more than a million energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) to Canadian homes in 150 different communities across Ontario, British Columbia and the Yukon. In a press release, One Change Executive Director Stuart Hickox says of the project, "It’s been said many times that we have the technology to stop climate change. Where there’s a will, there’s a way—and the potential to move toward a more environmentally friendly world not only exists, but could provide a viable new economy and hope to many communities.”
The Impact of a Million Bulb Switch - Project Porchlight sponsors claim that making the switch from million incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents will save some $50 million CDN in power costs and reduce greenhouse gasses by 500,000 tons per year. Switching on incandescent bulb for a 13-watt CFL will save the average household $50 over a five-year period. Not only does Project Porchlight distribute the CFLs to local households, the organization provides energy saving tips and guidance for proper disposal of spent bulbs.
Project Porchlight CFL Use Hints - Here are some Project Porchlight suggestions for using CFLs at home:
- Install CFLs right away and don't wait for your old incandescent bulbs to burn out. Compact fluorescents are so efficient, it isn't economical to wait
- Use can use CFLs anywhere an incandescent bulb is used
- CFLs are great for use in hard to reach locations because of their long service life
- CFLs contain small amounts of mercury, but don't pose a health risk if properly handled
- CFLs can be used indoors, outdoors and in cold weather
- Purchase CFLs that bear the Energy Star logo
Disposal of Spent CFLs - Project Porchlight has identified a number of locations where spent compact fluorescents can be dropped off for disposal. A partial list includes:
- Any Home Depot location in Canada
- Environmental Lamp Disposal - 15003 - 54A Street, Edmonton Alberta, T5A 2M8
- Fluorescent Lamp Recyclers Technologies, Inc. - 75 Wanless Court, Ayr Ontario, N0B 1E0
- Nu Life Industries, Inc. - #1, 3347 - 262nd Street, Aldergrove British Columbia, V4W 3V9
- Proeco Corporation - 7722 - 9th Street, Edmonton Alberta, T6P 1L6
Project Porchlight is a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to see every home in Canada make the change from old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient alternatives like compact fluorescent bulbs starting one bulb at a time.
