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How many energy-efficient lightbulbs does it take to make England green?

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Evan Fairmont
Topics: Energy and Oil, Informal Economy
Countries: United Kingdom
The next step: providing energy efficient solutions and products to 16 million customers. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/outikoo/1808640058/">Outi Koo(flickr)</a>
The next step: providing energy efficient solutions and products to 16 million customers. Outi Koo(flickr)

Apparently around 52 million.

After announcing a 35-percent rate increase, British Gas is sending free energy-efficient light bulbs to customers to help lessen the blow of higher prices.

In response to the rate hikes, British Gas managing director Phil Bentley, said:

The only answer to cope with higher energy prices, I'm afraid, is for all of us to be more energy efficient and we will be contacting all our British Gas customers to show how they can save energy to try and offset these price rises.

The first step taken by the company was to send four free energy-efficient light bulbs to every customer. British Gas has also added a new section to their website that focuses on energy efficiency, featuring information on solar panels and energy-saving home improvements as well as a place to purchase green gadgets such as solar battery chargers and wind-up flashlights.

British Gas clearly isn't alone in feeling the pain of rising fuel prices but their willingness to educate their customers is refreshing — could you imagine your local gas station handing out tire pressure gauges to drivers waiting at the pump? As other energy companies are faced with tough decisions, they may want to take some hints from British Gas and increase awareness of energy efficiency among their own customers.

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