By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE community is being urged to get behind new energy saving program Switch to Save, which is set to see thousands of Victorians lower their energy bills and reduce their impact on the environment.
The program is part of the Bendigo Bank’s Generation Green initiative and local residents and businesses are being asked to visit the Pakenham Bendigo Bank branch to sign up and replace energy-thirsty halogen downlights with LED downlights – installed for free.
The bank has partnered with Energy Makeovers – an Aussie company dedicated to helping local residents and businesses with energy efficient solutions.
Its staff will deliver and install the LED downlights in participating households and businesses.
Pakenham Bendigo Bank branch manager Norm Davidson said the switch to LED downlights could save households and businesses as much as $500 a year.
“There are also massive environmental benefits,” he said.
“For every 1000 homes and businesses who register, which will see almost 30,000 downlights installed, we will be reducing greenhouse emissions by 17,000 tonnes.
“That’s the equivalent to taking 3580 cars off the road for one year.”
In addition to saving money and the environment, the bank is adding another initiative to the Switch to Save program.
“Our branches will distribute $1 for every halogen downlight replaced in participating households and businesses to help support the Pakenham Consolidated School undertake sustainable projects,” Mr Davidson said.
“With an average of 30 globes exchanged per household, we hope to give more than $100,000 to local schools across Victoria.”
Pakenham Consolidated School is already on-board to coincide with its own Environmental Crusaders program.
“We’re going to have a Waste Warrior, an Energy Endorser, a Compost Champion and a Recycling Ranger,” teacher Jodie Emmerson said.
“In every grade we’re going to have all of those four jobs.
“The energy endorser is going to make sure lights are off, heaters are off, and fans are off when you’re not in the room.
“The Compost Champion will collect all of the food scraps and we’re going to start a worm farm in our garden area.
“There’s also going to be an elective for the grade five and six students called Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Gardening.
“We’re going to do a lot of reusing and recycling items to make new craft or toys for the kids to take home.
“We’re really happy that the bank rang up our school and asked us if we wanted to join in.
“We’re happy to be a part of it.”
