In what is believed to be the first complete change-out of light bulbs in any lighting showroom in the country, Metzger's in West Hartford, CT, in conjunction with electric utility Connecticut Light & Power Company (CL&P), has replaced close to 500 typical incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving Energy Star® compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The change-out is a benchmark achievement for energy efficiency advocates.
Left to right: Keith Thomsen of Metzger's; Bud Fisher, residential program administrator, market and conservation programs, Northeast Utilities; Ray Christensen, Metzger's owner; and Gary Cardillo of Techni-Art.
"Metzger's is the first lighting showroom in the country that we are aware of to change out completely to energy-efficient Energy Star light bulbs," says Peter Banwell, Energy Star marketing manager at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "This is a great example of Energy Star program partners working together to achieve energy savings and to educate consumers as well as other industry members about the energy efficiency program."
Energy savings as a result of the change-out are expected to be significant. CFLs not only save 75% more energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, but they also burn much cooler than incandescent bulbs, which waste 90% of their energy as heat. It is estimated that Metzger's will save up to $7,000 a year in energy costs to illuminate the bulbs and to cool the showroom. Over the 10,000-hour expected life of the CFLs, these savings increase to about $24,000.
After evaluating several CFLs with CL&P, Metzger's owner Raymond Christensen Jr. agreed to the change-out, convinced of the high quality of light and significant energy savings that would be achieved. The bulbs selected for the change-out were Energy $aving™ CFLs from Sunion Products, which are distributed exclusively in the United States by Techni-Art of Collinsville, CT.
"The light from the CFLs we chose is indistinguishable from incandescent bulbs, which is important because Metzger's, and most of our customers, will often use both types of bulbs together in the same room," says Ray Christensen, Metzger's owner. "When one of my salespeople shows a fixture featuring a CFL, they have a perfect opportunity to educate the customer about the bulbs' quality and energy savings."
Energy Star is a coordinated national effort of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy to help consumers identify energy-saving products such as light fixtures, home electronics, office equipment, major appliances, and more.
CL&P is part of the Northeast Utilities System--the largest electric utility in New England. It provides a wide range of innovative products and energy-efficiency services designed to save energy, money, and the environment. For energy-saving information, call 877-602-SAVE (7283) or visit www.cl-p.com.
Founded in 1925 by Clarence and Ejna Metzger, Metzger's is a third-generation family-owned business. Today it is one of the premier lighting showrooms in New England specializing in antique and high-end lighting fixtures. It is located at 15 South Main Street in West Hartford, CT.