Energy & Cost

Energy & Cost

Outdoor lighting in the United States consumes about 120 terawatt-hours of electricity each year, enough to power New York City for two years. At least 30 percent of that energy is wasted because unshielded fixtures spill light where it isn’t needed. This waste costs Americans roughly $3.3 billion annually and generates 21 million tons of carbon dioxide, emissions that would require planting 875 million trees to offset.

To reiterate, 30% of our light is wasted, not used, it does nothing for the person. This wasted light goes into the atmosphere reflecting back, contributing to skyglow, affecting ecosystems, and our health. 

What is wasted light? light that is overly bright, reflecting off of the surface to be scattered in all directions, unshielded light that is not focused and directed, and up lighting of structures or flags.

In Chelan County nearly all of our electricity—99 percent—comes from hydropower. That gives us the lowest rates in Washington and the fourth-lowest in the country. With rates this low, per-capita usage soars to among the highest in the state.

Every kilowatt hour we don’t use here lets our PUD sell clean hydro power to other regions that would otherwise rely on dirtier sources. Reducing unnecessary outdoor lighting by installing fully shielded fixtures, directing light only where it’s needed, and switching to energy-efficient bulbs and timers has no downside locally. It lowers our own bills, frees up renewable energy for others, and helps reduce global carbon emissions. Simple changes make a big difference. Let’s use our clean power wisely and extend its benefits beyond Chelan County.

Chelan County PUD makes it easier for us to change out our lights by offering commercial rebates on light restoration projects, covering up to 100% of the project. To find out more on this program click here.

An easy way to fix reductions in lighting electricity costs are utilizing timer switches or occupancy sensors for your interior, and motion detector sensors for your exterior lights.

If your looking for a change in lighting, utilizing a lower lumen light will not only save you money on electricity, but also make your property more aesthetically pleasing and safe. Check out Dark Sky International's Lighting Library to find night sky friendly lighting and where you can purchase them.