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SINGAPORE: More than 300,000 HDB households in one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments will receive vouchers to help them switch to energy-efficient and water-efficient appliances, under a program launched on Saturday (November 28) by the National Agency of the Environment (NEA) and the water agency PUB.
Eligible households will receive three types of electronic coupons in the amount of S $ 225.
This consists of S $ 150 to buy a green refrigerator, S $ 50 for water-saving shower fixtures, and S $ 25 for LED lights.
The S $ 25 million Climate Friendly Homes Program was first announced in March and rolled out on Saturday as part of the launch of this year’s Clean and Green Singapore campaign.
SAVING ENERGY, WATER AND MONEY
In a press release, NEA highlighted the impact the program could have on reducing water and energy consumption in Singapore.
“Refrigerators are one of the most energy-consuming appliances, accounting for about 17 percent of total electricity consumption in Singaporean homes,” the agency said.
“If each of the more than 300,000 eligible one-, two-, and three-bedroom HDB households were to upgrade to a more energy-efficient refrigerator, the combined potential electricity cost savings for these households would be approximately S $ 160 million over their lifetime. typical useful refrigerator. “
NEA added that the reduction in carbon emissions would be equivalent to the annual emissions of 110,000 cars.
If each eligible household replaced a shower with a water-efficient model, they would save up to 1.1 million gallons of water per day, and each household’s annual water bill would drop between S $ 10 and S $ 20.
When it comes to LED lights, all eligible households that make the switch can collectively save S $ 3.7 million in annual energy costs, NEA said.
“This would be equivalent to saving enough energy to power some 5,000 three-bedroom HDB apartments,” the agency added.
He noted that 64 percent of eligible households currently do not use LED lights.
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There are currently eight merchants participating in the program: Bathroom Warehouse, Best Denki, Courts, Gain City, Harvey Norman, Mega Discount Store, NTUC FairPrice, and Sheng Siong.
“More merchants are expected to join during the program,” NEA said.
Eligible households can apply for coupons here. Coupons are valid until December 31, 2023.
A CITY IN NATURE
Speaking at the launch of Clean and Green Singapore 2020 at ITE College East, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said this year’s campaign has grown in prominence in the context of COVID-19 and the record number of dengue cases in the country. .
“Keeping Singapore clean helps us protect ourselves from COVID-19, dengue and other infectious diseases,” he said. “However, beyond addressing these immediate threats to public health, Singapore is also redoubling our efforts to build a greener and more sustainable future.”
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat (right, foreground) planting a champaca magnolia tree, also known as orange champaca, at the Clean and Green Singapore 2020 launch ceremony on Saturday, November 28, 2020 (Photo: National Environment Agency ).
As part of a clean and green Singapore tradition, Heng planted three champaca magnolia trees, along with National Development Minister Desmond Lee, Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu and Northeast District Mayor Desmond Choo .
“Every year, as part of Clean and Green Singapore, we plant trees together. This is a valuable tradition started by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, who planted a mempat tree at Farrer Circus in June 1963, ”said Mr. Heng.
“This year, we are continuing this tradition, with some safe management measures.
“I planted a tree at ITE College East as part of the One Million Trees movement. Our goal is to plant one million trees over the next decade in Singapore in our cityscapes, green spaces and even industrial estates. “
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Clean and Green Singapore campaign, which was launched in 1990 by then-Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.
A weekend of free physical walks and virtual activities has been planned as part of the campaign, with more information available on the Clean and Green Singapore website.
