Swap mercury vapor lights for sodium

Farm Bureau News

San Joaquin Farm Bureau members can exchange their inefficient mercury vapor yard lights at no cost for high pressure sodium lights via the Light exChange Program (LCP) which is administered by RHA, Inc. under contract with PG&E.

RHA, Inc., an energy consulting firm headquartered in Chico, implements and manages energy efficiency programs and is administering the LCP, said Kathy Williams, RHA project manager. “The program has been successful with more than 7,000 lights having been replaced thus far in the counties using the program.”

Williams explained the program is free because “utility taxpayers have been funding energy conservation programs like this for years in the form of a surcharge — public goods funds — on monthly utility bills.”

Generally speaking, she said the agricultural community has “lots of mercury vapor lights but in qualified agricultural communities, businesses and others use them as well.”

Who qualifies for the exchange programtc "Who qualifies for the exchange program"

The special energy savings service can be used for qualifying PG&E customers living in rural areas or in rural agricultural communities with a population of 50,000 or less. The program is now operating in more than 25 counties throughout the San Joaquin Valley.

“We also supply organizations interested in promoting the LCP with marketing materials so they can market it to the community,” Williams said.

Basic requirements and benefits
to Farm Bureautc "Basic requirements and benefits
to Farm Bureau"

A basic requirement is that the light or lights being exchanged must be a mercury vapor yard light and be in working order; the entire fixture is replaced because the mercury vapor lamp uses a different ballast than a sodium lamp. “You can’t simply screw in the new lamp,” Williams said.

And for every yard light exchange referred by SJFB the LCP will donate $7.50 to the organization. In fact, the LCP serves as a fundraiser for many local community organizations

How the program workstc "How the program works"

The LCP works like this: lamp owners can call (866) 455-0898 toll free to determine if they qualify and to schedule an appointment.

Williams said, “An RHA employee will come out to qualify the lamps, check their application, verify there is access so the tech can do the work, and schedule an appointment for the installer who will replace the mercury vapor lamps and fixtures with a high pressure sodium yard light fixture.”

Lamp differencestc "Lamp differences"

She said the sodium lights are less costly to operate, don’t fade over time, stay bright for more than six years, has reduced glare, and they produce more light with a slightly amber tint which attracts fewer insects.

Also, mercury vapor lamps can be troublesome because they contain mercury and thus are more hazardous and difficult to dispose of when something goes awry.

The color of the light determines whether or not the fixture holds a mercury vapor lamp which has a bluish-white light and its glow may have been dimming over time. If uncertain about what type of lamp it is RHA will send someone out to qualify the light.

LCP backgroundtc "LCP background"

The LCP pilot program began in 2006 and contracts have been renewed through 2009 and, noted Williams, the possibility that the program will continue is “looking good. We’re working on a contract that will last from 2010 through 2012.” The LCP began in San Joaquin County in April 2008 and has returned $1,000 to SJFB, according to Williams.

“By participating in this program, people can conserve energy, reduce their energy bill and support local agriculture organizations and school programs,” Williams said. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”