CFL Recycling

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, are an excellent way to reduce energy, however they have one catch: they contain mercury.  The amount of mercury they contain is quite small (most bulbs contain less than 3-5 mg of mercury; that is smaller than the head of a pin.), but because of that small amount of mercury, used CFLs are considered household hazardous waste.  The following are a number of ways you can safely dispose of those CFLs.  Pick the one that works best for you and feel good about saving energy, saving money on your power bill, and being responsible when it comes to recycling.

BeGreenSquared is an expert in the Documented Direct-Installed CFL program (BPA Measure RLI00124).  Over the next few years it will become more and more important to get the CFL saturation up in your service area.  The Northwest Council's Power Plan relies upon a certain amount of "energy savings" from Incandescent to CFL conversions.  Have you done your part as a PUD to assist in that effort?

Even if you have engaged in "give-away" and "direct-thru-mail" programs, our research has indicated that the saturation in most regions is still much lower than was forecast by the Council's 1983 20-year Plan.  Now is the time to act to get those saturation figures up and BeGreenSquared can assist you in that effort.

To BeGreenSquared is to be both Energy Efficient Aware as well as Energy Rebate Aware.  We all want to be Energy Efficient Aware, but being Energy Rebate Aware is a bit more complicated.

That is where BeGreenSquared comes in.  We have taken the time to learn the many programs that exist in the various government and private rebate organizations so you don’t have to.
Going GREEN is great, but what you really want is to BeGreenSquared!

Upgrading the attic, crawl space and wall insulation can have a substantial impact on a building’s energy demands.  For example, going from a rating of R2 in the attic to R19 can provide a savings of 5.75 kWh/yr/sqft.  For a standard 1000 sqft apartment, that is a 5,750 kWh/yr savings.  At 7.5¢/kWh that equates to $431/yr ($36/mo) in energy savings for one tenant.

Energy efficient windows and doors reduce your building’s baseline energy usage.  This improves your tenant comfort, increases your building marketability and prolongs building sustainability.
The following is an actual example of the costs and rebates associated with a 6-unit apartment building window upgrade project:

Evaluating the ways to reduce energy usage and increase efficiency has never been an easy task.  Combine that task with the new regulations and new rebate programs and is it any surprise most owners don’t take the time to do more than pay their electric bills each month?

Starting in 2012 your ability to purchase Incandescent light bulbs is going to be restricted if not outright illegal.  According to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 the schedule for phase-out of Incandescent Bulbs is as follows:

BeGreenSquared has an experienced workforce that is intimately familiar with the Energy Rebate Process, so you always have the support you need and can depend on our experience and knowledge.

We all want to improve our bottom line, so we have 4 ways that you can do that.  Remember, don't just be green, BeGreenSquared.

The time is now to take advantage of these rebates and credits.  These dollars will not be available forever.  You do not want to wait until energy prices have risen and you have no choice but to perform these improvements to keep your tenants.  When demand goes up for these services, prices will go up accordingly.  Allow us to help you with the paperwork now.