Communities across the nation met with public safety and law enforcement officers on Tuesday, Aug. 7, to celebrate their efforts in protecting and serving the public. Residents of one of Reston’s neighborhoods, however, chose to participate in National Night Out in a different manner.
Some residents of Lakeview Condominiums, located off of North Shore Drive, decided to participate in this year’s event by installing energy efficient light bulbs in their front door entrance lights. The project combines public safety, in terms of luminous lighting for the condominium’s neighborhood watch volunteers, with energy efficiency. "It’s a quiet revolution in our small community," said Neighborhood Watch volunteer Annette Gibson.
Gibson said the light bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), were provided for the community of 105 residences — in addition to bulbs for the common areas — for less than $350. According to Energy Star Web site, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star qualified CFLs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
"The lighting is good and [the bulb] lasts longer," said Bill Town, who installed the bulb outside of his front door. He and Joanne Feraca have lived in their unit at Lakeview for 18 years. "We can leave the light on for longer periods of time," said Feraca, adding that the new bulbs do not save energy at the expense of public safety. "It works both ways," she said.