(St. John’s, NL): takeCHARGE has donated over 20,000 energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® LED light bulbs to many local, non-profit organizations and other groups that provide support within communities across Newfoundland and Labrador through Make the Switch. These groups will distribute the energy-efficient light bulbs to individuals and families in their network or use the donation in their facilities to help them save energy and money!
“LEDs are a relatively easy opportunity to make your home or business more energy efficient, but we understand that not everybody has the same access to them.,” says Keith Barrett, Manager of Energy Solutions with Newfoundland Power. “This is why we partner with community-minded organizations to help get LEDs in the hands of more customers, who can directly benefit from those energy savings. Initiatives like Make the Switch allow us to connect with our customers and ensure they have the tools and information they need to use energy wisely”.
“We are proud to work with our partners to help customers reduce their electricity usage and save money,” says Grant Outerbridge, Manager, Electrification and Energy Optimization with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. “By working with not-for-profit community partners, we are able to help distribute thousands of energy-saving LED bulbs to low-income housing units, seniors and individuals who may be facing other challenges.”
Each partnership in this Make the Switch initiative provided unique opportunities for these organizations or groups to distribute ENERGY STAR LED light bulbs to customers, individuals and families. For instance, by working with the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador, we could give light bulbs for their transitional housing program, which provides safe and affordable housing for individuals with limited or low income. The Associate for New Canadians Association (ANC) will distribute 2,000 LED light bulbs to low-income refugees and newcomers to use in their homes, allowing them to save energy and reduce their monthly electricity costs.
“The ANC is delighted to partner with takeCHARGE to increase awareness about the cost savings and benefit of energy efficiency,” said Wayne Pearce, Senior Manager, Operations with ANC. “Through this wonderful collaboration we are able to provide bulbs to newcomers that can be used to reduce electric consumption and provide savings on monthly electricity costs.”
“The Town of Harbour Breton packaged and gave out light bulbs to 30 senior households in our community,” said Tina Bungay, Economic Development Officer with the Town of Harbour Brenton. “We gave the rest to our local senior cottage complex, Southern Mist Cottages, this not-for-profit offer housing to low-income seniors who are responsible for their own lighting. Everyone was very appreciative.”
“We would like to thank Make the Switch for their generous donation of LED light bulbs to The AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador,” Christine Byrne, Housing Outreach Coordinator with the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador, said. “As you know, families and individuals in our community go without many basic needs such as; proper food, shelter, and essential medical care every day due to a variety of factors including low wages, job loss, injuries, illness, age, domestic violence, or mental health and substance use concerns. With the generous support of organizations like you, we will be able to help many of these families and individuals meet some of their daily needs by supplying them with LED light bulbs for their living spaces. Something that may seem so simple but is essential to the success of stable and safe housing for the individuals we support.”
The energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® LED light bulbs donated by takeCHARGE helped the following groups:
- AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Association for New Canadians
- Bridges Employment Corporation
- Colemans
- Community Center Alliance
- Harbour Breton Investment Corporation
- Hermitage Sandyville Fire Fighters Foundation
- Leading Tickels Recreation Committee
- Miawpukek First Nation
- Municipality of Miles Cove
- Over the Top Museum
- Stella’s Circle
- South Brook Fire Department
- The Church Lads Brigades
- Town of Bird Cove
- Town of Brighton
- Town of Bryants Cove
- Town of Buchans
- Town of Burin
- Town of Cape St. George
- Town of Clarkes Beach
- Town of Cook’s Harbour
- Town Council Rencontre East
- Town of Eastport
- Town of Flowers Cove
- Town of Glovertown
- Town of Hants Harbour
- Towns of Harbour Main and Chapels Cove
- Town of Indian Bay
- Town of Kippens
- Town of Lamaline
- Town of Lawn
- Town of Leading Tickles
- Town of Logy Bay Middle Cove and Outer Cove
- Town of Lord’s Cove
- Town of Parkers Cove
- Town of Point du Gaul
- Town of Point May
- Town of Port au Choix
- Town of Rocky Harbour
- Town of Roddickton-Bide Arm
- Town of Salvage
- Town of St. Lawrence
- Town of Torbay
- Town of Trinity
- Trout River Recreation Committee
- Trout River Heritage Committee
- Westport Recreation Committee
Since 2017, takeCHARGE has provided over 70,000 ENERGY STAR LED light bulbs to over 100 non-profit organizations and local groups across the province through Make the Switch.
LED light bulbs are great for both homes and businesses. These energy-efficient light bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last, on average, 15 times longer than a traditional incandescent bulb. Energy- efficient lighting is just one way to make homes and businesses more energy efficient. Learn how to get money back and save energy with other tips and rebates from takeCHARGE at takeCHARGENL.ca.
A joint initiative between Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, takeCHARGE combines the expertise and customer reach of Newfoundland and Labrador’s two electricity utilities. We work together to bring energy efficiency awareness and savings to the residents of this province. Your utilities are here to provide a service — a reliable source of energy to run your homes and businesses. To us, that also means helping you use energy wisely through takeCHARGE, from light bulbs to thermostats to electric vehicles. For energy efficiency tips and information on rebate programs, visit TakeChargeNL.ca today!
Newfoundland Power is the primary distributer of electricity on the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador. With a customer base of approximately 273,000 accounts, Newfoundland Power is committed to safety, dedicated to the highest level of customer service and focused on delivering reliable electricity at the lowest possible cost. For more information on Newfoundland Power’s programs, services and community partnerships, please visit newfoundlandpower.com.
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (Hydro) is the people’s Crown utility – providing safe, cost-effective, reliable electricity that our customers can count on. We have both regulated and unregulated operations across the province with major power generation assets in Churchill Falls, Muskrat Falls, Bay d’Espoir and Holyrood. Our provincial transmission system spans thousands of kilometers, and now connects the island of Newfoundland to Labrador. We power our families, friends, and neighbours in 200+ communities across the province, and approximately 80 per cent of our provincial energy comes from clean hydroelectric generation.