Toronto Hydro's Great Exchange Shines Light on Hidden Gems in Toronto Homes
Great Exchange places value on old incandescent light bulbs, room air conditioners and dehumidifiers
TORONTO, May 31 /CNW/ -
NEWS
On top of the gold jewellery, china bowls and old clocks that could get some extra cash at the local antique fair, there are other less obvious items hiding in Toronto homes that could also put some money in residents' wallets. This June, Toronto Hydro-Electric System ("Toronto Hydro") is encouraging Torontonians to search their homes, sheds and even their neighbours' yard sales for incandescent light bulbs, inefficient room air conditioners and dehumidifiers that could prove to be very valuable if brought to the Great Exchange.
The Great Exchange is the first utility-led program of its kind in Ontario that allows residents to trade in old incandescent light bulbs for new CFLs, free of charge. With the Ontario government banning the sale of incandescent light bulbs in 2012, this is an ideal opportunity for Torontonians to get a head start and start switching out the soon to be 'antique' bulbs from their homes while being rewarded for it.
Toronto residents who seek out up to five incandescent light bulbs hiding in their homes and bring them to any Rona, The Home Depot or Walmart retail location in the city during the Great Exchange will receive the same number of compact fluorescent light bulbs in return - a retail value of approximately $12. As CFLs typically use 75 per cent less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs(1), Torontonians will get more than just replacement bulbs - they can save $30 a year by simply replacing five incandescent bulbs with CFLs(2).
Think those old room air conditioners and dehumidifiers in the garage, basement, or neighbour's lawn sale couldn't possibly provide any value? Think again. Room air conditioners and dehumidifiers brought to the Great Exchange will receive a $25 or $10 gift card respectively. Replacing an old unit with an ENERGYSTAR(R) model can cut home cooling expenses by 30 per cent(3).
The Great Exchange runs on June 5/6, 12/13 and 19/20 at all Toronto Rona, The Home Depot and Walmart locations from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Starting June 3rd, Torontonians can also visit the Great Exchange teams at seven select Community Environment Days.
LINKS:
Great Exchange: www.torontohydro.com/exchange.
BOILERPLATE:
Toronto Hydro Corporation is a holding company, which wholly-owns two principal subsidiaries:
- Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited - which distributes electricity and engages in Conservation and Demand Management ("CDM") activities; and - Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc. - which provides street lighting services.
The principal business of the Corporation and its subsidiaries is the distribution of electricity by Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited. Toronto Hydro-Electric System owns and operates an electricity distribution system, which delivers electricity to approximately 690,000 customers located in the City of Toronto. It is the largest municipal electricity distribution company in Canada and distributes approximately 18% of the electricity consumed in Ontario.
---------------------------------- (1) Natural Resources Canada http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/lighting/energystar-cfls.cfm?attr=4#cfl (2) Toronto Hydro http://www.torontohydro.com/sites/electricsystem/residential/conservationprograms/Pages/CFLFAQs.aspx (3) Natural Resources Canada http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/Publications/equipment/roomaircond-2006/advantages.cfm?attr=4
For further information: For further information: Sebastian Gatica, Optimum Public Relations, [email protected], W: (416) 306-6655; Tanya Bruckmueller, Toronto Hydro, [email protected], W: (416) 542-2621, C: (416) 903-0440
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