Marshall Municipal Utilities offers rebates for the replacement of inefficient incandescent lighting with high-efficiency LED lighting. Rebates are also available for new installations with savings based on the equivalent wattage of incandescent lighting.
WHAT IS AN LED BULB?
Light Emitting Diode or LED bulbs can also replace most standard incandescent bulbs and offer many benefits. They use up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs while providing the same amount of light output (lumens), can last over 25,000 hours, contain no mercury, and give off less heat than standard bulbs. Several designs and sizes are available to replace bulbs in indoor and outdoor light fixtures, lamps, recessed lighting, and floodlights.
WILL HIGH-EFFICIENCY LIGHTING LOWER MY UTILITY BILL?
High-efficiency LED lighting will save you money on your utility bill because they use less electricity than regular incandescent bulbs.
For example: If you were to replace a 60 watt incandescent bulb (840 lumens with an average life of 1,000 hours) with a 10 watt LED bulb (800 lumens with an expected life of 15,000 hours) you would save approximately $60 in electricity and bulb replacement costs over the life of the bulb based on MMU's current rates.
HOW MUCH WILL MY REBATE BE?
The rebate amount is $.20 per nameplate watt saved through the installation of high-efficiency lighting or the purchase price of the new lighting, whichever is less. The recommended minimum rebate application amount is $25.00.
For example: If you replace (ten) 60-watt incandescent bulbs with (ten) 10-watt LED bulbs, you would save 500 watts. 500 watts saved X $.20 per nameplate watt = $100.00. The rebate amount would be $100 or the price of the new bulbs, whichever is less. Most new LED's cost less than the rebate amount, so the entire cost of the bulbs are usually covered by MMU's rebate. You get the benefit of saving energy with no expense. Some LED bulbs will cost more than the MMU rebate amount, but the longer bulb life and additional energy savings will more than offset the higher initial cost.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO RECEIVE MY REBATE?
To qualify for your rebate, you will need to fill out and sign a Residential Lighting Rebate Application Form and return it to MMU along with the following:
1) The original receipt for your new lighting .
2) The packaging showing the nameplate watts and lumens of the new bulbs.
3) The old bulbs that you have replaced. (Unless this is a new application)
After receipt of your completed application, MMU will issue a credit on your next utility billing, or a check if the rebate amount is over a $100, or you are a budget bill customer. Rebate amounts less than $100 are automatically given as a credit on your utility bill.
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE LED BULBS?
Bulbs can be purchased at most hardware stores, home improvement stores, and discount centers.
Bulbs with the ENERGY STAR® logo offer the assurance of additional quality testing and a minimum 2 year warranty. To view a list of qualifying bulbs, visit the ENERGY STAR® website.
MMU does not endorse any particular vendor, manufacturer, or product in promoting this rebate program. MMU does recommend the purchase of ENERGY STAR® qualified lighting.
For more information on LED lighting, or questions regarding this rebate, please call MMU at 537-7005.
Compact fluorescent bulbs do contain a small amount of mercury. Minnesota Law requires all types of fluorescent bulbs to be recycled. To help ensure proper recycling, Marshall Municipal Utilities' customers can bring unbroken, burned out CFL's to our office at 113 South 4th Street, Marshall MN, and we will recycle them at no charge to the customer.
Bulbs can also be brought to the Lyon County Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 504 Fairgrounds Road, Marshall, MN 56258. For more information on recycling and hours of operation, they can be reached at 532-8210.