Haryana embraces CFL

An interestin article on Infochange India:

Under a concerted power-conservation drive by the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) (Southern Haryana Power Distribution Board) that offered one CFL free with every CFL sold, in a tie-up with the manufacturer, village after village in the state is switching to CFL.

In May this year, the village of Binola in Gurgaon on the Delhi-Jaipur highway became India's first village to be lit entirely by CFL... A few months later, Sirsa earned the distinction of becoming India?s first and only 100% CFL-electrified district. The result: consumers now enjoy major savings on their monthly bills, and once-harried electricity board officials are smiling. What's more, the switchover has attracted droves of 'CFL tourists' to the village!

Apart from consumers saving on their bills there has been a remarkable 'macro effect'. In the two transformers, the peak load has come down from 115 amperes to 70 amperes. And there is a straight reduction in load of nearly 50%. Earlier the transoformers would crash every second day. Now, no such problems.

If Haryana could do it, why not other Electricity Boards? And why doesn't a political party come forward and embrace the cause??

On a related note, HSBC is offering its customers who opt for e-statements an unusual gift: 'a free CFL bulb'

Says HSBC: When you use less energy at home, you reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and help protect our environment from the risks of global climate change. In an effort to help you save energy which in turn will save money on your electricity bill, we are gifting you with a CFL bulb. So, go on, build a healthier environment while you save some precious money!

As they say, neki aur poocch poocch? You would also save Rs 325 over the life of your CFL bulb, which is 5 times that of an ordinary bulb.