New York saves energy with LED holiday lights

December 3, 2007

Capitol’s holiday tree to help lower state’s energy bill by $50,000

Albany, NY – December 3, 2007: Taxpayers will save more than $3,600 in energy costs this holiday season thanks to a partnership between the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) to replace holiday lights on the New York State Capital holiday tree in the Empire State Plaza with energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lights.

NYSERDA has provided 4,000 multicolored C9 LED light bulbs to decorate the tree by working with Syracuse-based Downtown Decorations. Each bulb draws only 0.9 watts of power, a tenth of the energy of what the old bulbs consumed. The new LED lights will consume only 2,800 kilowatt-hours of electricity (about $400 worth) during the holiday season in comparison to the 26,800 kilowatt-hours of electricity (about $4,000 worth) the traditional incandescent holiday lights will consume, saving more than $50,000 in energy and replacement costs over the lifetime of the bulbs. The energy saved from the LED lights will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 26,000 pounds annually.

“This simple change creates big savings for New York State,” said Paul D. Tonko, president and CEO of NYSERDA. “LED lights use substantially less energy and are safer than traditional lighting because they burn cooler. These long-lasting holiday lights will help us reach Governor Spitzer’s goal of reducing electricity consumption 15 percent by 2015, while protecting the environment and serving the community for many years to come.”

LED holiday lights are constructed from solid-state chips that convert electricity into light without using a filament or glass bulb. They can burn for up to 100,000 hours, enough to last through more than 11 holiday seasons. They produce almost no heat, rarely burn out, will not overload household circuits and come in a variety of lengths, sizes, colors and styles.

“OGS is pleased to partner with NYSERDA to brighten this holiday season while saving energy,” said OGS Commissioner John Egan. “We will continue to work with our state government partners to find innovative ways to maximize our efforts and save taxpayer dollars.”

New York residents can also save over $100 this holiday season by decorating their homes with a variety of energy-efficient lighting choices that are easy, safe and last longer than traditional holiday lighting, including LED lights and :

• Cool-to-the-touch fiber optic holiday lights are a good choice for paths, trees, decks, patios and vaulted ceilings because fiber optic cables make it easier to access and maintain lights in hard-to-reach areas.
• Rope lights consist of tiny incandescent lights spaced about an inch apart that are enclosed in a half-inch diameter flexible plastic tube. These lights last more than 20,000 hours and make a safe choice for decorating trees, doors and windows.
• Candelabra Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) use about 80 percent less energy, produce the same lumens and generally last 10 times longer than the average incandescent bulb. They can be used in candlesticks and menorahs instead of an open flame.

Energy-efficient holiday lighting applications is just once component of the “Little Steps to Big Savings” campaign NYSERDA is administering this fall where New Yorker’s are taking a pledge for energy efficiency. To take the pledge or to learn more about it, visit Get Energy Smart or call toll-free 1-877-NYSMART.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) uses innovation and technology to solve some of New York's most difficult energy and environmental problems in ways that improve the State's economy.

Contact:

Mary Ingram Schatz (mary@ingramschatz.com)
Phone: 212-600-4469

Colleen Ryan (cqr@nyserda.ny.gov)
Phone: 866-NYSERDA ext. 3359
www.getenergysmart.org

Gayle Dougherty (gayle@haggman.com)
Phone: 978-525-3742