Each year, ENERGY STAR® Canada recognizes business and organizations for their outstanding contributions to saving energy. The awards recognize utilities, manufacturers, retailers, associations, homebuilders and buildings that have demonstrated excellence in offering Canadian consumers the most energy-efficient products and technology available on the market. Award winners earn the prized recognition of being the best in their class and use of a special ENERGY STAR winner’s symbol.
For the second consecutive year, Natural Resources Canada recognized takeCHARGE, a joint partnership between Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (Hydro), with two of those awards:
- Utility program of the year – 2021
- Promotional campaign of the year – 2021
Utility Program of the Year
takeCHARGE was recognized for its Instant Rebate Program which offers customers rebates on energy efficient items through participating retailers. Over 3 million instant rebates have been provided on items such as ENERGY STAR LED light bulbs. The program has helped customers save over 70 GWh collectively which is about the same as taking 2,900 electrically heated homes off the electricity grid.
In 2020, the Utilities provided at-the-cash rebates on approximately 240,000 ENERGY STAR certified products at 64 retail locations.
The next Instant Rebate campaign, from September 21st to November 16th will give customers another chance to save energy and money with low-cost energy efficient upgrades.
Promotional Campaign of the Year
The Utilities promoted the benefits of ENERGY STAR to customers through a range of initiatives. Through the Make the Switch LED bulb giveaway, takeCHARGE donated over 21,000 ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs to 16 non-profit organizations and charities across Newfoundland and Labrador. takeCHARGE partnered with Colemans Grocery stores across the province to celebrate National Seniors Day, providing free ENERGY STAR certified LED light bulbs and educational materials to seniors during designated shopping hours. The Utilities launched new website resources for electric vehicles and highlighted 20 ENERGY STAR certified electric vehicle chargers. Newfoundland Power and Hydro staff presented to over 530 students about energy conservation and ENERGY STAR certified products.
“Helping homeowners and businesses manage their electricity usage efficiently through takeCHARGE is important to us,” says Keith Barrett, Manager of Energy Solutions with Newfoundland Power. “The ENERGY STAR brand helps us do this by making high efficiency products readily available and visible to customers so they can make informed decisions about their energy usage.”
“We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to helping customers save energy and money,” says Carl Bishop, Manager, Customer Service for Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. ” Their purchases of the most energy efficient products and technologies are driving the market and we are excited to be part of that.”
takeCHARGE is a joint initiative between Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro that combines the expertise and customer reach of Newfoundland and Labrador’s two electricity utilities. With more than 60,000 program participants, the takeCHARGE partnership works to bring energy efficiency awareness and rebate programs to everyone in Newfoundland and Labrador.
For more information about the ENERGY STAR Canada Awards and the list of all of the other winners, click here.