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Winterhaven 'Goes Green': TEP Helps Winterhaven Neighborhood Improve the Energy Efficiency of Its Annual 'Festival of Lights'

Posted on: Wednesday, 5 December 2007, 18:00 CST

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is helping the Winterhaven neighborhood improve the energy efficiency of its popular "Festival of Lights" through the use of new LED lights.

Through a partnership with TEP, the Winterhaven Neighborhood will replace its traditional bulbs with 1,200 strands of new energy-efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights in time for this year's festival, which runs from Dec. 15 through Dec. 28.

The new 0.1-watt lights require much less energy than the old 7-watt bulbs, reducing energy consumption by more than 98 percent. In addition to reducing Winterhaven's electric bills during the festival, the upgrade will avert the need for energy production that would release more than 30,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.

"We wanted to make a positive change for the environment without compromising the festive atmosphere that generations of Tucson residents have come to love," Winterhaven president Jim Tofel said. "Thanks to TEP, this year's 'Festival of Lights' will be brighter, better -- and greener -- than ever."

The lights will be unveiled Saturday, Dec. 15 at 5:30 p.m. during an opening ceremony staged on the large traffic island at East Kleindale Road and North Christmas Avenue. Representatives from the Winterhaven neighborhood and TEP will speak at the ceremony.

The new LED lights will decorate the tall trees that line the midtown neighborhood's streets. While individual homeowners will continue to build elaborate displays with their own personal lights, Tofel said he expects a growing number will be switching to LED lights in coming years.

While LED lights usually cost more than traditional incandescent lights, they can more than pay for themselves in energy savings. They also last longer and generate much less heat, reducing the risk of fire. For more information about saving energy with LED lights, visit the new LED holiday light calculator online at tep.com.

"These lights should serve as a shining example of the possibilities of energy conservation," said Steve Lynn, TEP's Vice President of Communications and Government Relations. "Replacing incandescent bulbs with LED or fluorescent lights is just one of many ways to use energy more efficiently without sacrificing the beauty, utility or convenience of our modern lives."

TEP volunteers also will help support the Winterhaven Food Drive, which collects canned food and other donations during the festival to benefit the Community Food Bank. The food bank provides 31,000 daily meals and other assistance to the neediest members of our community.

Tucson Electric Power, a subsidiary of UniSource Energy Corporation (NYSE: UNS), provides safe, reliable electric service to more than 395,000 customers in southern Arizona. For energy saving tips or other information about TEP, visit tep.com. For more information about UniSource Energy, visit uns.com.

Source: Business Wire

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