LED Light Bulb Exchanges in Howard County Libraries

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Howard County began a partnership with the Howard County Library system in 2022 to develop an ongoing, free LED light bulb exchange pilot program at two libraries serving the most under-resourced populations in the county. This program dramatically improved upon the County’s previous LED light bulb exchanges that occurred sporadically as one-time events. Through this program, residents turn in old, inefficient compact florescent (CFL) and incandescent light bulbs and receive free, high efficiency LEDs in exchange. By participating in this program, residents save money on their electricity bills, reduce energy use, and help the County meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Residents also receive information on other energy saving tips and programs with their free LED bulbs. This program also expands opportunities for residents to safely dispose of CFLs, which contain toxic mercury and cannot be thrown in the regular trash. Within just six weeks of launching the program, the County has provided residents with nearly 1,000 high efficiency LED bulbs, saving residents a total of nearly 40,000 kWh of electricity and nearly $4,000. This is a scalable program that can expand to all libraries throughout Howard County based on the success of the pilot in two libraries.