News Release

June 11, 2012

PNM NEWS News releases Financial news Contact PNM

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT Susan Sponar Telephone: (505) 241-2768

PNM Offers Limited-Time $10 Discount on LED Lights

Albuquerque:Now through July 31, PNM is offering a $10 in-store discount at all Home Depot stores on two different ENERGY STAR-qualified LED (light emitting diode) bulbs, the Philips 12-watt ambient LED 60-watt replacement soft-white light and the Philips Ambient LED 12-watt flood light bulb.

The LED discount expands the PNM lighting discount program, which provides in-store discounts on nine styles of CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps).

"Our discount will help customers who want to try this relatively new technology, and help make even more options available to customers when it comes to efficient lighting," said PNM Energy Efficiency Program Senior Developer Emma van Moorsel.

A 12-watt LED uses approximately 80 percent less energy than an equivalent incandescent bulb, so LEDs cost less to use, but they are expensive to buy, said van Moorsel. The Philips 12-watt retails for $14.97 and the Philips 12-watt flood light retails for $27.97 per bulb at Home Depot after the PNM discount. However, each bulb can save customers $5.85 per year in energy costs over an incandescent bulb when used for three hours per day, she said.
.
In addition to their efficiency, manufacturers say the LEDs have a rated life of 25,000 hours, which is equal to approximately 22 years when used just three hours a day, have no flicker when dimmed, excellent color quality, and the light output remains constant over time, only decreasing toward the end of the rated life.

"From a cost standpoint, CFLs are still your best bet," said Van Moorsel. LEDs are only slightly more energy-efficient than CFLs, which can cost as little as $0.49 per 13-watt bulb with the in-store PNM summer discount at Home Depot and many other retailers. Incandescent bulbs are the least efficient – and most expensive – bulbs to use.

Learn more about more PNM lighting discounts at PNM.com/rebates. For more information about LEDs, visit energystar.gov.

New Mexico Home Depot store locations

Alamogordo

3400 N White Sand Blvd
505-443-8018

Albuquerque

2820 Coors Blvd NW
505-833-9990

10200 Coors Dr NW
505-899-1290

1220 Renaissance Blvd NE
505-344-1900

200 Eubank Blvd SE
505-271-1900

Los Lunas

1800 Main Street NW
505-865-0425

Rio Rancho

7700 US 550 NE
505-771-3523

Santa Fe

952 Richards Ave
505-424-9463

With headquarters in Albuquerque, PNM is the largest electricity provider in New Mexico, serving 500,000 customers in dozens of communities across the state. PNM is a subsidiary of PNM Resources, an energy holding company also headquartered in Albuquerque. For more information, visit PNM.com.