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ENERGY STAR® Change a Light, Change the World Campaign Kicks off Today in Surprise, Ariz.

Release Date: 10/04/2006
Contact Information: Lisa Fasano for EPA, 415-760-5421 Additional Contacts – Jan Kleszynski, 503-525-2700 x157, 503-349-3196 (mobile) Maria Arellano, 602-250-3155 Vivian Diaz for HAMC, 602-744-4521

APS helps the elderly and disabled switch to energy-efficient lighting

(Surprise, Ariz. -- 10/4/2006) Something as simple as changing a light bulb can help electric customers save money every month on their power bills.

To underscore this point, APS is partnering with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Housing Authority of Maricopa County (HAMC), the Arizona Energy Office, and the Regional EPA office to kick off the national ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World Campaign with a lighting "change out" at Paradise Homes, an HAMC complex that provides subsidized housing for the elderly and disabled.

Many consumers are surprised to learn their homes can cause nearly twice the air pollution as their car, or that lighting alone can account for seven percent of a home's energy consumption.

This campaign is part of a national effort to encourage every American to switch to products that have earned the ENERGY STAR, a symbol that indicates the product meets specific energy efficiency guidelines. Energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, not only use up to 75 percent less energy than a standard incandescent, but they can also save up to $25 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.

“Today, families are trying to find ways to reduce their energy consumption. And that can be as easy as changing a light,” says Terry Orlick, manager of customer information and programs at APS. “This partnership with HUD and other low-income programs makes perfect sense because these are the people that can benefit the most."

Gov. Napolitano has proclaimed Wednesday, October 4 as Change a Light Day, and APS is kicking things off by donating and installing around 330 compact fluorescent lamps to Paradise Homes. This lighting upgrade has the potential to save Paradise Homes' residents up to $1,400 in energy costs each year. And, since these lights last almost 10 times as long as standard bulbs, the elderly and disabled residents won't have to worry about changing those hard to reach light bulbs nearly as often.

"If every American household changed a single light bulb to a high efficiency ENERGY STAR bulb, it would provide enough power to light more than 2.5 million homes - or every home in Arizona," says Wayne Nastri, the EPA's regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest region. "Just one small act by all of us can make a tremendous difference in our world."

In addition to saving money, time and energy, CFLs generate 70 percent less heat than incandescent bulbs, which can help lower the temperatures in the home and reduce cooling costs as well, another important factor for Paradise Homes' residents.

“This lighting change out is just one part of the Housing Authority's overall commitment to energy efficiency,” says Alphonso Patrick, executive director, Housing Authority of Maricopa County. “We are dedicated to making several energy efficient upgrades, and while ENERGY STAR lighting is an important step in that direction, we will continue to work with APS and HUD to find new ways to improve our facilities for our residents.”

CFLs are available for use in virtually any indoor or outdoor lighting fixture, including desk lamps, floor lamps, decorative cabinet lighting, suspended lights, ceiling-mounted lights, recessed lights, wall-mounted lights, porch lights, outdoor post lamps and flood lights.

APS is also working with lighting manufacturers and area retailers in the region to offer special pricing on ENERGY STAR lighting products. Special offers are available at participating retailers, including Costco, Lowe's and The Home Depot stores throughout the season. This program has been approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission and is funded by APS customers.

To learn more about the benefits of energy-efficient lighting and for a complete list of retailers offering special pricing on ENERGY STAR lighting products through APS, visit aps.com or call 1-800-783-7253.
APS
APS, Arizona's largest and longest-serving electric utility, serves more than 989,500 customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the largest subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (NYSE:PNW).

Housing Authority of Maricopa County
The mission of the Housing Authority of Maricopa County is to increase the supply of and maintain existing affordable rental housing for low-income households who cannot afford to pay market rents and promote training, educational opportunities and economic self-sufficiency so that they can become homeowners.

ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. Today, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 7,000 organizations have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses.