Puget Sound Energy has recently introduced a new instant rebate for up to $10-off energy-efficient light emitting diode (LED) bulbs for residential electric customers looking for efficient lighting options. The rebate is PSE’s first LED bulb rebate for residential electric customers.

“LED bulbs are the most efficient bulbs you can buy,” said Cal Shirley, vice president of Energy Efficiency Services at PSE. “We’re excited to offer this new rebate to our customers, providing our customers even more choices when it comes to energy-efficient lighting for their home.”

PSE customers can receive an instant rebate of up to $10-off a variety of ENERGY STAR®-qualified LED bulbs. Depending on the type of bulb, the after-rebate price to customers ranges between $15 and $50. Customers can purchase rebated ENERGY STAR-qualified LED bulbs at participating retailers including Costco, Lowe’s and The Home Depot.

After purchasing LED bulbs customers can take an online survey at PSE.com/LEDsurvey to be entered in a drawing for one of five $100 pre-paid gift cards.

ENERGY STAR-qualified LED bulbs use up to 85 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 22 times longer.

In 2010, PSE was among 14 utilities and energy efficiency organizations to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize (L Prize) competition to field test energy-efficient LED bulbs to replace the standard 60-watt incandescent bulb. The L Prize competition was designed to encourage lighting manufactures to make energy-efficient LED bulbs that provide the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs and use less energy.

In August, the DOE announced Philips Lighting North America as the L Prize winner of the 60-watt replacement bulb category. Philips’ winning LED bulb was the first entry to successfully meet all competition requirements including extensive field and laboratory assessment, stress testing, and a required lifetime of more than 25,000 hours. The winning LED bulb is expected to arrive in stores as soon as early 2012.

For more information about LED bulbs or to find a retailer who carries PSE rebated LED bulbs visit PSE.com/LED or call a PSE Energy Advisor at 1-800-562-1482, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. To learn more about energy-efficiency rebates and incentives to Re-Energize your home, visit PSE.com/Rebates or call an Energy Advisor.

– from a press release from Puget Sound Energy