About The Program

What

Ban the Bulb is a community project that was delivered in partnership with Bendigo Bank.  The first stage of the project was carried out in the Yarra Ranges, Victoria, where we also partnered with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the Yarra Ranges Shire Council. Ban the Bulb involved offering FREE modern energy-saving light bulbs and having them installed also for FREE!

Why

Energy-saving lights use 80% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. Replacing just one globe will stop 900kg of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere over its lifetime. An average household replacing 12 bulbs would save the equivalent emissions of taking a car off the road for more than two years!

Results

As a result of this project:

• Approx 48,000 bulbs installed in almost 3,000 homes;

• The project has raised approx $120,000 for the local Country Fire Authority brigades;

• On average, 16 bulbs were installed per home;

• Average household electricity bill savings will be over $1,500, with total community savings at $4.6m; and

• 200 Country Fire Authority volunteers were trained.