every household has an ever-growing list of expenses, so receiving all kinds of gifts, from free light bulbs to free tissue paper and other essentials we use every day, can be such a welcome gift.
Light bulbs cost $1 to $5 each (depending on the type of bulb you use at home), multiply this amount by the number of lamps you have and it definitely adds up real quick.
Of course, you don’t actually change them weekly, but the money can always be put to other things.
7 ways to get free light bulbs
here are 7 proven ways to get bulbs completely free.
Please note that not all of the methods below will be available throughout the year.
1. free bulbs from electric and gas companies
- columbia gas of virginia (virginia): customers of columbia gas of virginia will receive a free energy efficiency kit or a $50 rebate upon request.
- wisconsin focus on energy (wisconsin): customers can request a free energy savings package that includes led light fixtures, aerators, shower heads and more.
- aes indiana ( Indiana): Use the home energy inspector online website to analyze your energy use and find ways to save, and receive a free energy efficiency kit.
- idaho power (idaho): Sign up with your account number (one per household) and the company will mail you 9 free LED light bulbs and other energy-efficient products.
- hawaii energy (Hawaii): Hawaii Energy offers its residential customers free and low-cost home energy savings kits.
- san diego gas and electric (california) – if you’re a customer, request your free kit (one kit per household every 10 years) which includes a hand shower, spray aerators, kitchen and bathroom faucets, and led night light. it takes 15 days to deliver the water & energy saver kit.
- energy trust (oregon and washington): Qualified customers can request a free energy saver kit to help reduce utility costs. delivery takes 4-6 weeks.
- dte energy (michigan): customers can get a free energy efficiency kit that comes with energy-saving products like led bulbs , night lights, wrap tubes, shower heads, safety outlet covers and water-saving faucet aerators for kitchen and bathroom.
- potomac edison (maryland): Potomac Edison residential customers have several programs to bring down their electricity costs, such as:
- Discounts and rebates on the purchase of energy star® certified LED bulbs.
- home energy review where an auditor could install energy saving products for free. These items can include up to 14 LED light bulbs, faucet aerators, water-saving shower heads, and pipe insulation for electric water heaters, all valued at over $75.
in pennsylvania, any penn power, west penn power, penelec and met-ed residential customer is eligible to receive an energy conservation kit.
Completely free of charge, this kit comes with 5 LED light bulbs, 3 LED night lights, a furnace filter whistle, and 3 CFLs in various wattages.
2. government and nonprofit projects
In April 2022, the Biden administration adopted two new rules setting stricter energy efficiency standards for light bulbs.
These updates will phase out the sale of incandescent light bulbs by 2023 and make the switch in favor of LED lights, which the Department of Energy estimates “last up to 50 times longer than incandescent light bulbs and use a fraction of the electricity.”
If you have a business and are switching to LED lights, your company will be entitled to discounts and incentives.
Homeowners who switch to LED lighting may also be able to claim these benefits, but like businesses, they must apply lighting rebates to the correct departments.
These include the State Incentives Database for Renewables and Efficiency (which includes information on all types of rebate programs by state) and the US Department of Energy. uu.
If you’re not sure, you can visit your local utility office to confirm the type of rebate application to submit and if there are other programs for homeowners. Ask about free “energy efficiency kits,” like this energy efficiency education program from ameren missouri.
The Climate Action Collaborative partners with local businesses and nonprofits in Colorado to host free LED swaps for the community.
New York’s North Salem Climate-Smart Community Leadership Committee also had a similar program in 2021.
3. led light companies
Before the government took charge of phasing out CFLs and incandescent bulbs, LED lighting companies lured customers to switch to LED lighting by trading in their old bulbs for free LED bulbs .
It’s really about how many people decided to upgrade, even if it cost a bit more than traditional lighting at the time.
Today, some LED lighting companies continue this type of program, but partner with appliance stores, hardware stores, and power companies.
4. schools
Some high schools and colleges could also adopt their own energy efficiency programs and encourage people to switch from conventional light bulbs to LEDs.
here’s a good example from the office of sustainability at washington university in st. louis, where they encourage people to bring their working or non-working cfl and incandescent bulbs into the office and exchange them for an led bulb free of charge.
The program limits each swap to 10 free bulbs per person, which is quite generous compared to similar swap events.
Hawaiian Electric recently partnered with Hawaii Energy and the Maui County Water Department and hosted an event at Kaunakakai, Maunaloa and Kilohana Elementary Schools where they gave away a free kit containing energy saving items (such as electric free light bulbs) to help reduce energy use in the home.
5. appliance and hardware stores
Conventional light bulbs are a major promotional item for hardware stores, especially during the fall and winter when people flock to replace their light bulbs.
This time of year is called “light bulb season” in appliance and hardware stores for a reason. That’s also why they give away free light bulbs at this time to attract new customers.
Of course, some appliance and hardware stores also run other lighting promotions throughout the year, so check your local hardware store regularly or sign up for their online newsletter.
6. free light bulb samples by mail
Some companies offer free samples of light bulbs to customers. fill out sample request forms from companies like keystone tech and get it wholesale.
Be sure to follow us based led lighting companies. uu. (such as mouser, brilled lighting, ge lighting or acuity brand) on social networks, to be able to participate in promotions, giveaways and contests.
7. lighting stores
If you’re buying a chandelier, pendant, ceiling light, or any kind of lighting from the store, you can usually get a free bulb with your purchase.
This is particularly true if the light fixture you purchased requires special bulbs or if they had an existing promotion when you purchased one.
This method usually works when shopping face-to-face and rarely when shopping online, so take note.
Do you want more gifts for your home?
If you weren’t able to get a free light bulb using the above methods, you can always save some points and redeem them for visa gift cards, which you can use towards the purchase of light bulbs.
For other gifts, see how you can get a free computer and electronics.