Fairfax County to give away free LED light bulbs

Energy Action Fairfax is again partnering with the Fairfax County Public Library to host six LED light bulb exchanges throughout the county this spring.

One free LED will be given out to everyone who shows up. You’ll also be able to get up to four free LED light bulbs if you bring for each incandescent or compact fluorescent lamp you bring in.

The lightbulb exchanges take place at libraries,
including George Mason Regional Library in Annandale on May 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

During the first LED exchange program last year, about 8,000 LED light bulbs were given to 1,600 people.

LED bulbs [Energy Action Fairfax]

Based on an average home’s lighting consumption, those LEDs will result in nearly 200,000 kilowatt hours and $22,000 saved each year, says Energy Action Fairfax. These savings are equivalent to 280,000 pounds of carbon dioxide not being released into the atmosphere – the same as taking 28 passenger vehicles off the road.

An estimated 3,000 compact fluorescent lamps were removed from residents’ homes. The CFLs contain mercury and were safely recycled at the county’s I-66 Transfer Station.

The LEDs distributed at the libraries will be 60W equivalent, warm white, Energy Star-certified, and non-dimmable. Participants will also be able to try different types of bulbs at an interactive lighting display and take home an LED lighting guide.

There were long lines last year, so be prepared.