Ace Hardware conducted a survey of 2,500 U.S. homeowners to uncover the most common home maintenance projects in October. As homeowners continue to embrace new lighting standards, which phased out 100-watt incandescent light bulbs this month, it’s no surprise that 43.2 percent of younger homeowners plan to change their home’s light bulbs to more energy-efficient options this October. If you’re considering changing your light bulbs this month, you’re in good company – and Marin Ace is here to help, with a knowledgeable and helpful team, a new and innovative lightbulb department, and a $5 incentive to make the change toward more energy-efficient lighting.
According to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, 100-watt general service incandescent light bulbs can no longer be manufactured for the United States as of October 2012. This change is the first of several phase-outs over the next two years, with 75-watt incandescent bulbs no longer made in 2013, followed by the 60-watt and 40-watt incandescent bulbs phasing out in 2014. As a result, consumers will need to transition to energy-efficient light bulbs, such as Compact Florescent (CFL), Light-Emitting Diode (LED), and energy-efficient halogen options, for their lighting needs.
“We are committed to being the helpful destination for all of our customer’s lighting needs, particularly as they navigate their options as a result of recent changes in lighting standards,” said Jeff Leopold, owner of Marin Ace in San Rafael. “With a full selection of energy-efficient lighting options and a team of knowledgeable associates, we are here to guide homeowners through this change and ensure they find the right light bulbs for their home.” And, with National Lightbulb Day later this week, Marin Ace is also offering a $5 off coupon from 10/17-22/12 to help homeowners light the way to more energy-efficient lighting options.
To ensure homeowners turn their lighting to-list into a to-done list, Jeff offers these quick and easy tips:
- Energy Savers: Conventional incandescent light bulbs not only waste electricity, but also money. Simply change to more energy-efficient lighting options, such as Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and Light-Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs, which according to the Department of Energy are 75-80 percent more energy efficient and can last up to 10-times longer than older incandescent light bulbs.
- No More Change: Make sure the home is always perfectly lit, especially those hard to reach lights that seem to be constantly burnt out. Remedy this with outdoor-rated LED light bulbs, including new innovations in Indoor/Outdoor LED Flood Lights, which can last up to 25,000 hours – which, under normal use, could be up to 22.8 years. This simple fix will ensure the lights stay on for years to come.
- Dim the Lights: Lighting is a key component to any room. Set the right mood every time and install a simple dimmer switch, such as the Lutron® Lamp Dimmer. Make sure to use the appropriate dimmer for the total amount of watts it will control. This easy home maintenance project will not only lower the lights, but also the home’s energy use.
- Clean Up Safely: Florescent lighting, such as CFLs, are great light sources and last much longer than incandescent options. However, these bulbs do contain a small amount of mercury and should be disposed of properly. When the light finally burns out, you can just bring your old fluorescent tubes and bulbs to Marin Ace for easy recycling. Also, don’t worry if you break one, just air out the room for a few minutes, spray the area with water to control the dust, sweep up the pieces and place in the trash.
To help homeowners turn their lighting to-do list into a to-done list, Marin Ace Hardware is celebrating National Light Bulb Day on October 18th with a special promotion; Look for details on the Marin Ace Facebook page, on MarinAce.com, or on www.AceHardware.com how customers can receive $5 off their next purchase of $25 or more from October 17-22, 2012.
For more lighting tips and advice, please visit Marin Ace or check out Ace’s Light Bulb Replacement & Legislation Guide at www.acehardware.com/lightbulbs.
Marin Ace Store Information:
Store Hours:
- Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday – Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
CFLs and Fluorescent Tubes are accepted for recycling at any time during regular store hours.
Address & Phone:
- 180 Merrydale Road, San Rafael CA 94904
(Formerly the Sizzler on Redwood Highway)
- [415] 479-9393
