Faculty and staff advised to trade in halogen lamps

Chronicle staff

estern Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) and New England Energy Star will be holding free energy efficient lighting exchange programs during December. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) urges all faculty and staff using halogen torchiere-style floor lamps to exchange them for safer energy-efficient lamps.

     Halogen torchieres, which reach temperatures over 1,000 degrees, can be a fire hazard, according to EH&S. Operating at 500 watts, halogens are also a huge energy waste. An Energy Star lamp, which will be exchanged for free when a halogen lamp is turned in, operates as low as 55 watts, providing an equivalent amount of light as the halogen. The replacement lamps are very nice, says EH&S safety and fire prevention officer Ed Mientka.

     WMECO and New England Energy Star will conduct the exchange program at the Hampshire Mall Dec. 7-9 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

     All faculty and staff who have halogen lamps in their offices or who are WMECO customers and have halogen lamps at home are encouraged to participate. EH&S and Housing Services are also coordinating an exchange program at five residence hall locations on Dec. 12-13 for students and family housing residents.

     Contact Ed Mientka (5-5114) for additional information.