Energy consumers will be able to save money and do their bit for the environment at the same time thanks to a new initiative launched by Bermuda-registered charity Greenrock in partnership with HWP and Belco.

The new scheme, which is backed by a donation of approximately $30,000 from HWP and Belco, will allow users to swap out their old incandescent lightbulbs for brand new Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) at a series of different venues over the next month.

Meanwhile, Greenrock, which is devoted to encouraging and promoting sustainable development initiatives on the Island, will also aim to educate people on the use, application and disposal of CFLs. Information leaflets on what the customer is getting, the pricing and energy savings of CFLs, as well as even understanding the smallprint on the back of the box, will also be handed out at the exchanges.

Vice-president of HWP's electrical division, Tom Nelmes, explained that people can exchange two of their regular bulbs for two CFLs at the these 'Bulb Swap' events held across Bermuda throughout the month of February.

"There are many benefits associated with CFLs, and we want to encourage more people to see for themselves what a tremendous difference these lightbulbs can make," he said.

"CFLs last 10 to 20 longer than a regular lightbulb, they use 75 percent less energy and they produce much less heat than an incandescent bulb. All of this means cost and energy savings for consumers."

He said the whole initiative came about as a result of Greenrock approaching HWP and Belco looking for support for what they were doing.

"We saw the value in what they were trying to do because, I think, ultimately, we both share, as supporters of their campaign, the view that energy efficiency and education for the consumer is very important and there is also a green element for both of us as well," he said.

"For HWP, bringing something to market that has great benefit and also has great risks associated with it means the need to promote and do the right thing for us and get the message out.

"We went to a show in February last year where we had the new designer CFLs presented to us and as a result of that we felt it offered such tremendous capability for Bermuda to adopt a technology that had a significant benefit and people could adapt to and we thought these things could really take off, but in order to do so we have to get the educational aspect of how to use it right. Bermuda is a small place, but it is a big world out there and we have a part of play in its energy efficiency and sustainability."

Linda Smith, senior vice-president of corporate relations at Belco, said that, with the quality of CFLs getting better and their price coming down over the past three years, it is making them much more attractive to consumers, but it is about getting them to understand the energy efficiency values they have to offer.

"Energy conservation is doing without, while energy efficiency means using less while receiving the same overall benefit," she said.

"Given that lighting accounts for more than 20 percent of the average home's electricity bill, using CFLs is an easy way to improve energy efficiency and reduce cost. One of the best features of the CFL is also that it lasts longer.

"They are very useful in certain applications like closets and places where it is difficult to reach where you do not want to be changing bulbs frequently.

"Overall, we see energy efficiency as a component of energy sustainability going forward and we are going to see greater energy efficiency and alternate forms of combined cycle plant that incorporates some level of renewables and fossil fuels to bring about infrastructure solutions."

Greenrock president Andrew Vaucrosson said: "Our goal of this project is to educate, motivate, and convince the general public on how CFLs can 'Save Money by Saving Energy'."

Participants in the scheme will also be able to measure their cost and energy savings through the use of CFLs, with the chance to receive coupons for additional CFLS and win a stainless steel, energy efficient microwave via an online survey at www.greenrock.org

The Bulb Swaps will be held in:

• Par-la-Ville Park (outside Perot's Post Office) - Friday, February 8, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

• Warwick Post Office (at Kyber Pass) - Saturday, February 9, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

• Victoria and Union Parking Lot (across from People's Pharmacy) - Friday, February 22, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

• City Market at Bull's Head - Saturday, February 23, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.