Kids push conservation at home

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, May 2, 2001

“Kate Laster (foreground), Kevin Jones, Chris Britton and Marisha McCary watch an electric meter to find out how much electricity a compact fluorescent bulb uses compared to an incandescent.Matt Johnson / staff photoKevin Jones has convinced his parents that now is a good time to replace their incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent models that cost from three to 10 times as much.He told them that reducing electricity use around the house will allow operators at federal hydroelectric dams to reduce the amount of water flowing out of reservoirs, which will help save this year’s salmon run. He also told them that switching the more expensive bulbs – which use about one-fourth the power as standard bulbs – will in the long run save the family money on their electric bills.Jones’ parents listened and they did what he asked. Hooray for the power of kids.Jones, a fifth-grader at South Whidbey Intermediate School, is one student in five classes of school kids who have been going home every day for the past month trying to find ways to cut electricity use. They started after several members of the Community Alternative Power Project showed them how much electricity they can save simply by changing lightbulbs.Using an electric meter like those used on homes and two wired lightbulb sockets, the CAPP members showed the students how much faster a regular bulb consumes electricity than a compact fluorescent.Malcolm Ferrier, a CAPP member, said his group wanted to make energy savings a concrete concept for the students, especially since there is a good chance electricity rates will rise after Jan. 1, 2002. Using figures provided by Puget Sound Energy, they estimated that by replacing a standard, 100-watt bulb with its 23-watt compact fluorescent equivalent, 7,000 fewer gallons of water needed to be poured over a hydroelectric dam to provide the same amount of light.That’s quite a bit of water, Ferrier said.Last Friday the CAPP group checked back with the students. So far, the kids have convinced their parents to replace 65 standard bulbs with compact fluorescents. In Carolyn Sundquist’s class, students have had varied degrees of success in their quest. Marisha McCary said her parents had already swapped out several of the bulbs at home and did not need much encouragement. Kate Laster said she has reminded her parents to buy the bulbs several times, but so far they have not remembered to do it. Meanwhile, Kevin Jones said he is still getting used to the 13 new bulbs in his home. He said it is strange to flip the switch on a lamp and have to wait several seconds for the light to come up.They’re weird, he said.The CAPP group will continue to check in with the Intermediate School students throughout the year to find out how many bulbs they get their parents to replace. “