Daylight Savings Challenge

To get through the dark evenings since Daylight Savings Time ended on November 6, people are turning on more lights for longer periods of time. Unfortunately, this means that their energy use and electricity bills go up. Winter heating costs combined with increased lighting use can make it even harder for some families to afford their electricity bills.

To make this winter a little easier, Appalachian Voices devised the Daylight Savings Challenge. Our Energy Savings team partnered with student volunteers from Appalachian State University to distribute almost 100 energy efficient LED light bulbs to six seniors across Watauga County, N.C. The new LED bulbs, donated by Hospitality House, last longer than traditional incandescents and use 75 percent less energy, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. All together, the participants should save at least $280 a year on their energy bills, which is equivalent to about 1.75 tons of coal. Over five years, that amounts to a savings of approximately $1,400 and almost nine tons of coal!