Old fridges burn through electricity. And 黑料吃瓜网has a lot of old fridges.
When Rochelle Owen, Dalhousie鈥檚 director of sustainability, and her team conducted an energy survey of 黑料吃瓜网lab spaces, they found more than 400 fridges that were over 10 years old 鈥� not to mention 250 freezers that were equally as ancient.
And that鈥檚 not even counting kitchen fridges in lounges and offices across campus.
鈥淎 fridge can be a large power-using appliance in a space, particularly if it鈥檚 old,鈥� says Ms. Owen. 鈥淭ogether, these devices represent an energy drain.鈥�
Thankfully, there鈥檚 some good news: 黑料吃瓜网is working with Efficiency Nova Scotia鈥檚 Appliance Replacement Program. This means that faculties, departments and offices can apply to have any working fridges that are 10 years old or more replaced with a brand new, Energy Star-rated model 鈥� at no charge to the individual unit.
The Appliance Replacement Program covers the removal and recycling costs for the old fridges鈥攚ith a commitment to recycle 95-98 per cent of the materials鈥攁nd even delivers the new fridges on-site, straight from partner Gallery 1 Furniture Centre. The costs for the replacement are covered by discounts and rebates through Efficiency Nova Scotia as well as through energy savings from Dalhousie鈥檚 sustainability programs.
Offices must apply by Friday, Nov. 25 at 3 p.m.
鈥淭he idea is to make the impact on individual units as minimal as possible, so that we can all focus on saving energy,鈥� says Ms. Owen. 鈥淭hey apply to have the fridge switched out, pick which model they want delivered, and our office鈥攚ith Efficiency Nova Scotia鈥檚 help鈥攄oes the rest.鈥�
The timeline is short, though: units who are interested in having their fridges replaced need to apply by this Friday, November 25 by 3 p.m. to take part in the program. You can email rethink@dal.ca with information on the fridge to be removed (name of fridge, quantities, location and contact person) as well as the new model requested. The choices can be viewed on the .
The new fridges will be delivered sometime between December 12 and 21. Participants will be notified of their delivery date by December 7.
Program update: Efficiency NS聽 has agreed to offer mini-fridge and upright freezer models as part of the upgrade program. Please see the聽 for these details and other models. If these program models in this particular opportunity do not meet your needs, you can still email rethink@dal.ca so, in the future, these can be considered.