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The Million Dollar Energy Challenge
By GreenCompany | April 1, 2011
No this isn’t some weird green April Fool’s joke, Sears Canada is really extending a million dollar energy challenge. Meant to provide more sustainable ways for Canadians to save energy and help the environment while doing it. Hot on the heels of the past weekend where some ten million Canadians turned out the lights in recognition of Earth Hour, Sears Canada is looking to help Canadians make every hour an Earth Hour. Set to be a continued awareness initiative that will run the entire month of April, Canadians will be encouraged to turn in their old energy wasting appliances for newer and much more efficient Energy Star qualified electrical products.
Dr. James Gray-Donald who is the current Associate Vice-President and Sustainability Leader for Sears Canada says of the Million Dollar Energy Challenge, “The typical household spends more than $2500 a year on energy bills but by replacing all of their 15+ year old major appliances they could save over $400 per year by making the switch to ENERGY STAR(R) qualified products. The challenge demonstrates that by adding up these individual actions across the country, we can make a huge impact on the energy that Canadians use – the money and energy saved in just one month is incredible.”
Sears has been one of Canada’s leading retailers when it comes to helping the environment. They were one of the first to embrace going green and their Live Green program highlights for Canadian consumers various eco-friendly products and services that will save money while reducing the overall impact on the environment our everyday living has.
When it comes to the environment there are many benefits to retiring your older more energy wasting appliances found in your home. These benefits include saving water, and lower utility bills which all Canadians are looking for considering in many provinces there are ongoing large increases to our home and business hydro bills. As well, since some 90 per cent of an appliances carbon footprint is a result of energy used during the appliance’s lifetime of use, the manufacture, transport and end disposal only account for a small amount of the overall carbon footprint and end impact on the environment. And a large part of most home appliances can be recycled so be sure to check with your local recycling centers for their programs to help assist you with this. And don’t forget that while it is not the perfect solution, if there is life left in your old appliance you can give it over to someone who cannot afford one themselves.
An example of the savings would be a new Energy Star washing machine. Over the life of the machine you will save enough water for three backyard swimming pools while the energy cost savings will pay for a matching dryer!
If you want to track the progress of the Million Dollar Energy Challenge please visit www.sears.ca/energychallenge. You can also check the progress at your local Sears store.
Category: Green Living, Green Shopping
Tags: Canada, earth hour, eco-friendly, energy, environment, recycle, renewable, sears, water No Comments »