California Center for Sustainable Energy

SDG&E is offering to exchange incandescent lights for LED lights that can save energy and money this holiday season – for free.

Did you know that LED holiday lights can save 90 percent or more energy when compared to incandescent ones? They’re made in the same shapes and varieties as standard lights, operate cooler and last longer, roughly 20,000 hours. The Department of Energy estimates that if households and businesses switched to LED holiday lights, it would save close to the output of a large (1000 MW) electric power plant, or the annual electrical consumption of 500,000 households.

2009 LED Holiday Light Exchange Event Schedule:

Sat., Nov. 14, 2009 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.*
Hosted by City of Coronado, City of Chula Vista and SDG&E
City Hall Complex, 1825 Strand Way, Coronado

Thur., Nov. 19, 2009 – 5 to 9 p.m.
Hosted by County of San Diego, San Diego County Water Authority and SDG&E
Oceanside Sunset Market, Pier View Way between Coast Highway and
N. Cleveland Street; Tremont Street between Mission Avenue and Civic Center Drive http://www.msoceanside.com/Events/SunsetMarket/page18/page18.html

Sat., Nov. 21, 2009 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.*
Hosted by San Diego County Water Authority, City of Chula Vista and SDG&E
Water Conservation Garden, 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr., El Cajon

Sat., Nov. 28, 2009 – 1 to 5 p.m.
Hosted by San Diego County Water Authority, City of San Diego, San Diego Port Tenants Association and SDG&E
Surfing Santa’s Arrival at Seaport Village, downtown San Diego (Seaport Village East Plaza Gazebo)

Sat., Nov. 28, 2009 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hosted by County of San Diego, San Diego County Water Authority and SDG&E
Rancho Christmas, Rancho Guajome Adobe County Park, 2210 North Santa Fe Ave., Vista

Fri., Dec. 4, 2009 – 5 to 10 p.m. & Sat., Dec. 5 - noon to 10 p.m.
Hosted by City of San Diego, San Diego County Water Authority and SDG&E
December Nights, Balboa Park, in front of The Prado

Sat., Dec. 5, 2009 – 1 to 5 p.m.
Hosted by City of Chula Vista, San Diego County Water Authority and SDG&E
Memorial Park (before Starlight Parade), Chula Vista

*Exchange up to five incandescent light bulbs for energy-efficient CFLs, and up to two halogen torchiere lamps for more energy efficient models at the LED Holiday Light Exchange events in Coronado and El Cajon only.

SDG&E is holding the LED holiday light exchanges throughout the county beginning Nov. 14. You can get up to three multi-colored LED strands for an equal number of incandescent strands at no cost. To find an exchange near you, visit the SDG&E Holiday Lighting Exchange website.

Please bring a valid California ID and/or a copy of your current SDG&E bill with you to the event. Lighting offer is limited to three incandescent holiday light strands and one home energy-savings kit per household per year. These programs may be modified or terminated without prior notice. SDG&E makes no representation as to the safety, reliability and/or efficiency of the lighting equipment or components. SDG&E makes no warranty either express or implied, including warranty of merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose, use or application of the lighting equipment or components. This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by SDG&E, under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

For more information, visit the lighting turn-in calendar of events at www.sdge.com/LEDs. To schedule media interviews, please contact April Bolduc at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

CONTACT: April Bolduc SDG&E (877) 866-2066 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it