JOHANNESBURG - December 8, 2003 - Eskom Demand Side Management (DSM) and Philips Lighting have launched the "Mega-Watt Savings Project", promising local consumers energy and environmental savings that will ensure more bang for their bucks as they convert to energy efficient lighting.
As part of this project, Philips is offering its 14-Watt Genie lamp for R15.99 at Game/Dion, Makro, Shoprite Checkers, Voltex, Trade Centre and selected agricultural co-operatives/companies. The 14-Watt Genie lamp will also be available for R15.99 at Pick 'n Pay, together with an 11-Watt Pick 'n Pay house brand globe at R14.99.
In addition to making its energy efficient Genie range available at reduced prices, a donation will also be made to the Family and Marriage Society of South Africa (FAMSA) for each lamp sold, during the project.
The focus according to Mario Biagi, Business Manager, Retail Lighting: Philips Lighting, will be on making consumers aware of the benefits associated with using Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) such as the Genie lamp range. "These lamps burn for an average of 6 000 hours, which is six to eight times longer than normal incandescent globes, reducing energy usage by up to 80 percent, while providing the same or more light. This means that you can reduce your lighting bill by as much as 80 percent by converting to energy efficient lighting."
Biagi goes on to say that consumers often don't realise that normal incandescent lamps convert only 20 percent of electrical energy into light and the other 80 percent into heat, while CFLs converts 80 percent into light and only 20 percent into heat.
The Philips Genie lamp range of easily installable CFLs fit most light bases with a screw or bayonet fitting, eliminating the need to change the wiring or the lampshade.
Barry Bredenkamp, from Eskom adds that installing CFLs on a large scale countrywide will help put South Africa on the path to sustainability, with reduced demand for electricity during the peak periods of the day. "It will also reduce environmental impacts, including those resulting from the emission of greenhouse gases," he says.
A unique synergy is illustrated with the donation of funds from the "Mega-Watt Savings Project" to FAMSA, says one of the organisation's Promotional Fundraising Project Managers, Anne Myers. "FAMSA works for the well being of the community as a whole, and although our focus is on emotional well being, we recognise the impact of the environment on individuals and communities. We are proud and grateful to be part of an initiative that aims to protect and enhance sustainable resources."
More information can be obtained from:
Energy Efficiency Services, Barry Bredenkamp, (011) 629 5605, barry.bredenkamp@eskom.co.za
FAMSA, Anne Meyers, (021) 913 2109, bodybooks@mweb.co.za
Philips Lighting, Mario Biagi, (011) 471 5073, mario.biagi@philips.com
Prominent Marketing, Sharon Roberts, (011) 463 5717 x25, sharon@pro-mark.co.za
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