Save energy and money by exchanging your old Christmas lights

October 15, 2010
(Red Deer, Alberta) – Red Deerians can save energy and money this year when they take part in the second annual Christmas light exchange program at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre starting on October 22.

The program, offered in partnership by The City of Red Deer and Kerry Wood Nature Centre, gives people the chance to exchange two strings of old, incandescent exterior holiday lights for one box of new, energy efficient LED lights. In 2009 the Christmas Light Exchange proved to be a tremendous success. Nearly 3000 strings of old inefficient, incandescent Christmas lights were exchanged by Red Deerians.

“Based on last year’s successful light exchange, The City through the Electric, Light & Power department is proud once again to provide the funds to promote energy efficiency. The partnership with Kerry Wood Nature is a perfect fit,” said Nancy Hackett, Environmental Initiatives Supervisor with The City of Red Deer. “Offering this program is a unique way to provide residents with options about different ways to conserve energy, and it provides them with the tools to make an immediate difference for the environment and their pocketbook.”

This program is open to Red Deer residents only, and lights will be given out on a first come, first served basis. There is a limit of one box of free LED lights per adult per household. This year London Drugs is the supplier and has provided lights to the program at a reduced rate. All LED lights provided through this program are multi coloured.

“Replacing incandescent house lights with LED lights can reduce your holiday energy consumption by up to 95 per cent,” said Todd Nivens, Programs Coordinator with Kerry Wood Nature Centre. “For a residence operating six strings of old Christmas lights for six hours a day, the monthly energy cost will be approximately $27. Replacing those old lights with the same number of LEDs will only cost 47 cents for the entire month.”

The Kerry Wood Nature Centre is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and from 1 to 5 p.m. on statutory holidays. The wire from the lights received through this program will be recycled as scrap metal. Red Deerians wishing to recycle their old lights may bring in more than two strings, but they will not receive additional free LED lights.

For more information about this and other environmental education programs, call the Kerry Wood Nature Centre at 403-346-2010 or The City of Red Deer Environmental Initiatives Section at 403-342-8750 or refer to The City’s website at www.reddeer.ca/envservices.

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For more information, please contact:

Todd Nivens                                                     Nancy Hackett
Programs Coordinator                                       Environmental Initiatives Supervisor
Kerry Wood Nature Centre                                The City of Red Deer
403-346-2010 ext. 106                                      403-342-8750