NorthWestern Energy offering efficient light bulb coupons

NorthWestern Energy kicked off another seasonal program last week to help its customers use less of its service and save money.

Toward the end of the week, customers should have received a letter from NorthWestern Energy containing a coupon to get $2 off each compact fluorescent light bulb when buying up to 10 of them between Sept. 29 and Nov. 13.

Deb Young is a program manager for Efficiency Plus, or E+, the project that is responsible for the coupons and other efforts by NorthWestern Energy to get customers using less energy.

She said the CFL deal is available year-round, though it usually involves filling out a form and mailing in the receipt. The easier-to-use coupons get mailed out in the spring and fall.

"We're encouraging (our customers) to put these low energy light bulbs in their house, " Young said. "Any place where the light is used several hours a day, if a customer uses a light bulb with the same lumens, they'll see a lot of energy savings, and we want to help them with that. "

When shopping for CFLs, NorthWestern Energy encourages customers to watch for "the 4Ls": label, for Energy Star rating and warranty information; light, make sure the CFL replacement gives off the same amount of light as the bulb it replaces; location, check if the bulb is rated for where it will be used, like outside or with a dimmer switch; and low-energy, because these bulbs usually use a quarter of the energy of older bulbs and last 10 times longer.

The light bulb discount is just one of the programs that customers can receive that help from and learn about online by visiting http://www.northwesternenergy.com/nweplus/ or calling (800) 823-5995.

"We have been doing energy efficiency work with our customers in Montana since about 1980, " Young said.

Other examples include programs on the natural gas side to help customers insulate their homes or heat water more efficiently.

"NorthWestern Energy held an event in Havre on Saturday, Sept. 17, " an email from Young said. "We're encouraging customers who've picked up materials from a weatherization event to install those measures before winter sets in to save energy this heating season. "