Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is expanding its successful Energy Star Lighting Program to make light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs available from local stores at discounts of up to 30 percent off regular retail prices.

The Energy Star Lighting Program helps customers save energy and save money through the use of energy-efficient LED and compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. TEP pays manufacturers to provide discounts that are passed along by local retailers at the time of purchase.

Discounted LEDs, currently available at local Home Depot and Costco stores, cost as little as about US $6 each. Discounted CFL bulbs are widely available at costs as low as $2 for a four-pack; a list of participating retailers is available on tep.com. No coupons are necessary.

LED bulbs use up to 90 percent less energy and last up to 25 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs. They also emit 90 percent less heat, so cooling a room lit with LEDs uses less energy. Over the course of its lifetime, an LED bulb will save an average of $80 in energy costs.

CFL bulbs use up to 70 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb. They also last up to 10 times longer and emit up to 70 percent less heat. CFLs provide $1 worth of conventional lighting for just 25 cents, saving an average of about $30 in energy costs over their lifetime.

The LED bulb discount is one of several new energy efficiency offerings available this year from TEP. The company recently launched a refrigerator recycling program and soon will offer financial incentives for efficient pool pumps.

TEP offers a variety of customer-funded energy efficiency programs that have been reviewed and approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission. The programs are proven to be cost effective for all customers – not just those who use them – by reducing TEP’s long-term need for new energy resources. They also reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, resulting in reduced air emissions and water usage.

TEP’s energy efficiency programs have helped customers save more than 641,000 megawatt-hours – enough energy to power nearly 62,000 homes for a year. These savings help TEP work toward the goals in Arizona’s Energy Efficiency Standard, which calls on utilities to achieve cumulative energy savings of 22 percent by 2020.

Tucson Electric Power provides safe, reliable electric service to more than 414,000 customers in southern Arizona. For more information about TEP’s residential and commercial energy efficiency programs, visit tep.com.