October is Energy Awareness Month

October is Energy Awareness Month and the ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World Campaign is a national call-to-action to encourage every individual in the United States to help save energy and protect the environment through energy-efficient lighting. HUD is proud to be part of such a great campaign sponsored by the Partnership for Home Energy Efficiency, comprised of the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). This partnership provides Americans, including homebuilders, with the latest home energy savings information.

The goal of the partnership is aimed at reducing household energy costs by 10 percent over the next decade while improving our nation's air. The Partnership for Home Energy Efficiency will provide energy saving solutions for households across the country and support research and implementation of a new generation of energy efficiency technologies.

In our homes lighting accounts for nearly 20 percent of electricity costs, with the average home containing more than 30 light fixtures. Energy Star qualified bulbs and fixtures help reduce household energy costs because they use one-third the energy of traditional lighting, and last up to 10 times longer. Consumers can save up to $30 in utility costs over the lifetime of one bulb. Replacing the most frequently used lights at home will yield the most savings.

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007 is ENERGY STAR Change a Light Day, and organizations across the nation along with our HUD family will come together to help celebrate this day with activities, events, government proclamations, and store promotions around energy-efficient lighting. We encourage each of you to go to the "Change a Light Campaign" website and support this awesome effort by taking the PLEDGE and helping us to Change a Light, Change the World, One Light at a Time!