If you are a member of Bandera Electric Cooperative, Inc (BEC) you should have received a coupon in the mail with your electric bill that entitles you to one free 13 watt compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb. Why would BEC do this?

 At BEC we are serious about energy conservation and to prove it we have committed to giving away twenty thousand 13 watt CFL bulbs. These bulbs produce as much light as a standard 60 watt, but use far less power! Plus, they last 10 times longer and operate at a much lower temperature than a standard bulb. This will further reduce energy usage as there is less heat put into your home that your air conditioner has to handle.

 We want our members to replace the standard 60 watt bulbs they use most often with the 13 watt CFL bulbs. This will have an overall impact of reducing the amount of power that has to be generated. We estimate this will save 1,300,000 kilowatt-hours in one year if 20,000 folks take us up on our free CFL offer. This is based on the replacement of a 60 watt bulb that is used four hours per day.

 We also want to help you, our members, to start a better energy buying habit. When it comes time to replace other light bulbs, BEC hopes you will select a CFL because of the positive experience you had with the bulb we gave you.

 As part of this CFL give away program BEC has started to accept burned out CFL bulbs. We will send them to a place that handles them safely and even recycles them. There is a tiny amount of mercury in every fluorescent bulb. Therefore, we want to be sure spent bulbs are properly disposed. There is a small plastic bucket in each BEC office where you can drop off your used CFL bulbs.

The CFL giveaway program is part of an overall Energy Efficiency Program designed to help our member-owners conserve energy.