Project Porch Light

Councillors Somerville and Hurst exchanging inefficient incandescent lightbulbs for efficient compact fluorescent bulbs during Project Porch Light in Halton Hills. Photo courtesy of The Independent and Free Press

Project Porchlight is an energy efficiency/conservation campaign created with the objective to encourage households to replace just one energy inefficient incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb. CFLs along with a message of energy conservation are delivered door to door by volunteers free of charge. To date, Project Porchlight volunteers have changed over 1 million light bulbs, translating into significant energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

During the week of October 20, 2007, a local Project Porchlight campaign was held in the Town of Halton Hills. In speaking about Project Porchlight, Mayor Bonnette noted that "The Halton Hills Green Plan Task Force is very excited that Project Porchlight is coming to Halton Hills. It's a great way for Halton Hills to educate residents on energy efficiency by thinking 'globally and acting locally'. Everyone can make a difference and help protect our environment."

"This is about more than changing light bulbs," said Stuart Hickox, Executive Director of One Change. "Everybody can change a bulb, and once people realize that simple actions like this really do matter, they want to do more. A light goes on. So we are asking Canadians to be a light in their own communities by delivering bulbs door-to-door."

In Ontario, Project Porch Light is working with the Ontario Power Authority, the Government of Ontario, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation to spread an important message: Everyone can conserve energy, save money, and help the environment at the same time with simple, effective actions. In support of Halton Hills' local Project Porch Light campaign, Halton Hills Hydro and Neilson Dairy each donated 1,000 CFL additional bulbs, to complement the 2,900 bulbs contributed by Project Porch Light. The Town of Halton Hills generously provided storage and meeting space in support of the campaign.

Ultimately over 150 community volunteers (including Christ the King Club Green, Acton Scouts, Georgetown Brownies, Georgetown Girl Guides, Town Council and staff, P.O.W.E.R. and H.O.P.E, the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce and many others) delivered 6,800 CFL bulbs to the community. The collective savings for residents because of this campaign in Halton Hills will be substantial. Switching just one old-fashioned incandescent bulb to an energy-efficient 13-watt CFL bulb will save up to $50 in electricity costs over five years. With over 6,800 bulbs in use, the collective savings of using these bulbs will bring Halton Hills residents up to $340,000 over that time. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired plants is equal to 3,400 tonnes from 850,000 lbs of coal that won't have to be burned to produce electricity.