Soak Up the Savings

Climate Change Central ran two programs to encourage Albertans to switch to energy- and water-efficient clothes washers. The Soak Up the Savings program offered a $50 rebate to consumers who replaced their old washer with an ENERGY STAR-qualified model. The first program, launched in 2005 was so successful that it was repeated in 2006. In all, some 13,800 Albertans upgraded to high-efficiency washers and are now saving over 400 million litres of water and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 7,385 tonnes every year. That's enough water to fill 160 Olympic-size swimming pools.

For the average family of four, making the switch will cut utilities by over $150 a year, drain water use by 33,000 litres a year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne.