Fridge Farewell
Dates: April 1 - August 31, 2010

Say bye, bye to that old fridge or freezer! For this promotion, co-op members will schedule their own refrigerator or freezer pick up by calling this toll-free number: 1-877-838-1139. Otherwise you may schedule your fridge or freezer pick up here at Minnesota Brighter Ideas. 

Get $35 for recycling your spare fridge or freezer!

Between April 1 and August 31, take part in the Fridge Farewell program and you’ll get $35 back*, plus save up to $150 a year in home energy costs. It’s simple and you’ll get free pickup and removal. A professional contractor will haul away your old fridge or freezer from your home or garage for proper recycling. Again, you'll need to call 877-838-1139 or visit Minnesota Brighter Ideas to schedule your pickup. 

Following are the program details:

• You must be a residential electric member of Lake Country Power.
• The fridge or freezer must be owned by you and be picked up from the residential address listed on the billing account.
• The fridge or freezer must be an operating, secondary unit that has been functioning in the home a minimum of two months to qualify.
• No primary units will be recycled and there is a limit of two appliances per household.
• Ammonia-based refrigerators are not eligible. You’ll recognize this type of fridge by its top vent for dispersing heat. A larger unit will also have a hook-up for liquid propane or natural gas. The amount of energy it uses is negligible compared to a regular fridge that uses a compressor.
• The fridge or freezer must be between 10 and 27 cubic feet, 15 years or older.
• The fridge or freezer must be located in a single-dwelling home, a townhouse or a duplex, triplex or four-plex building.

You’ll also want to enter the Home Energy Sweepstakes where you could win a $100 credit to your energy bill. Take a short quiz at www.mnbrighterideas.com to be entered. (One entry per membership will be accepted.) 

Have your account number handy before you call. You can find this on your bill (see the Bill Explanation page on our Web site to see where this is located.)

*The $35 incentive check will be issued within 4 – 6 weeks of the appliance pickup.

GE Energy Smart® CFLs
Dates: February 1 – July 31, 2010

Save $3 off any GE Energy Smart® compact fluorescent light purchase with coupons that were provided with February’s billing statements. The coupons are good toward the purchase of multiple packs from any store where General Electric CFLs are sold, including ACE Hardware, Menards, Target, True Value and Walgreens.

If shopping at Wal-Mart, members will receive a $2 instant markdown off 18 selected GE-brand Energy Smart® CFLs in Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Cloquet and Hermantown (no coupon needed). These CFLs qualify for the instant markdown at Wal-Mart:

• 10wt Spiral 3pk box
• 13st Spiral 3pk box
• 20wt Spiral 3pk box
• 23wt Spiral 3pk box
• Daylight 10wt 2pk
• Daylight 15wt 2pk
• Daylight 20wt 2pk
• Daylight 26wt 2pk
• Spiral 10wt 6pk
• Spiral 13wt 6pk  
• Spiral 20wt 6pk
• Spiral 26wt 6pk
• Dimming 15wt 1pk
• Dimming 26wt 1pk
• 3way 29wt 1pk
• Ceiling Fan 10wt 3pk
• V15wt R30 Dimming 1pk
• Outdoor Flood 26wt

Join the sweepstakes: Visit www.mnbrighterideas.com for your chance to win a $500 energy credit (one entry per membership will be accepted). 

Questions about CFLs? This FACT SHEET provides information to help answer questions.

Compact Fluorescent Lights... Save Energy 

Each CFL contains approximately five milligrams of mercury, enough to cover the tip of a pen. In Minnesota it is illegal to place fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lamps in the garbage. You can now recycle your used CFLs for free at any Menards store in Minnesota. Or visit this page for other recycling options. 

How to Choose the Right CFL and other Facts 

Before you purchase new CFL lighting fixtures, these two fact sheets may provide some help before making your purchases: How to Choose the Right CFL and Wattage Comparisons.

Recycle your CFLs - It's the Law

Even though compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) contain a small amount of mercury (5 milligrams or less), Minnesota state law requires they be recycled and not thrown in the trash. Now co-op members can take their CFLs to Menards for free recycling!

How to clean up broken CFLs - MN Pollution Control Agency

How to choose and where to use CFLs - ENERGY STAR