The Department of Energy (DOE), in its continuing effort to lessen the impact of global warming by implementing a cleaner, more efficient and cost- effective utilization of energy, is undertaking the retrofit program of selected government office buildings replacing all existing T12 and T8 standard fluorescent tubes with the revolutionary Compact Fluorescent Lights or CFLs.
Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras signed the Memorandum of Agreement with the heads of 34 government agencies, including the Philippine Information Agency, to put this program into effect.
According to Secretary Almendras, although we can build more and generate more energy, we must do our share of addressing consumption.
“This is an intermediate step because the future of lighting is here, you can have the power of a 100 W bulb in a 7W LED that can effectively save 93% of KW hour consumption.,” Secretary Almendras added.
Compared to standard fluorescent tubes and ordinary incandescent light bulbs, CFLs are four times more efficient and lasts up to 10 times longer, and has about the same light output as 100 watt incandescent. CFLS use less energy, making it less expensive and saves more money in the long run.
Unlike the ordinary fluorescent tubes and incandescent light bulbs, CFLS are mercury free, thereby reducing the incidence of air and water pollution when disposed. Replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half-ton of Carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb.
The contract signing took place on October 5, 2010 at the DOE head office in Taguig City attended by no less than Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and the PIA Director General Atty. Jose A. Fabia. (PIA)