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EPA and DOE Showcase Home Featuring Energy Star Technology

Release Date: 10/5/2005
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Part of Change a Light, Change the World Campaign

FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, October 5, 2005

(#05112) NEW YORK -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Lt. Governor Mary O. Donohue kicked off the Change a Light, Change the World campaign today by touring a model residential home built by Frederick R. Jones with ENERGY STAR technology in Victor, NY (Monroe County). Ninety percent of the lighting and fixtures in the house utilizes energy-saving technology. ENERGY STAR is a voluntary government-backed program helping business and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.

"Nearly 20 percent of a home's energy goes into lighting. The Change a Light, Change the World campaign challenges consumers to participate in energy efficiency by changing one light bulb in their home to an ENERGY STAR bulb. Every person can make a difference," said Alan J. Steinberg, EPA Regional Administrator. "ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs provide the same amount of light and last 6 to 10 times longer than standard light bulbs."

American households spend about $20 billion a year to light their homes. ENERGY STAR lighting uses one-third the energy. It is estimated that if every homeowner in the nation replaced just one conventional (incandescent) bulb with an ENERGY STAR (compact fluorescent) bulb, the country would avoid $600 million dollars in energy bills. This would save enough energy to light seven million homes and prevent greenhouse emissions equivalent to one million cars.

Today, some 2,500 home builders across the nation have committed to building ENERGY STAR qualified homes. Over 360,000 ENERGY STAR qualified homes have been built nationwide. In addition to the billions of dollars lost through energy inefficiencies, household power waste contributes to the power plant emissions that create soot, smog and acid rain. The ENERGY STAR label allows consumers to easily identify energy-efficient appliances, electronics, office equipment, lighting, heating and cooling equipment, buildings and homes.

For more information, call 1-888-STAR-YES or visit www.energystar.gov.