Is solar power possible in western Washington?

This has been a popular topic in my mailbox so far, and the answer is yes. Forget our cloudy reputation, there is plenty of sun in western Washington. In fact, more than 250 PSE customers now generate at least some of their own electricity through solar installations. To learn more about generating your own solar power, visit our Customer Renewable Generation page under Home & Business Solutions.

What’s the most energy-efficient kind of television?

Surprisingly, that old TV you just swapped for a brand-new model may be the most efficient. Older, picture-tube style sets use much less energy per square inch of screen space (about 80 percent less) than the big plasma and LCD sets that are now becoming the standard. Fortunately, the EPA has now extended its ENERGY STAR ® certification to televisions, helping you choose the most efficient new models.

Where can I recycle used CFL bulbs?

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs are a great way to save energy. In fact, they use about a quarter of the energy of an incandescent bulb while providing the same light. But they do contain a small amount of mercury, so they shouldn’t be thrown away. The good news is that they last up to seven years in normal use, and PSE offers recycling at a number of locations. To find out where, visit our Bulb Recycling & Use page under Home & Business Solutions.

Andy Wappler joined Puget Sound Energy in February 2008 as part of the utility’s effort to communicate the need for renewable energy and energy efficiency in order to meet the challenge of climate change.

Certified by the American Meteorological Society, he is a graduate of the University of Washington and of Northwestern University.