Community Day: from left, Sherry Hinett with a bayonet and screw lightbulb, Annette Willis (Community House), Sarah Matthews (Waipā Networks Trust), Francis Radloff (Community House) and Tom Hinett. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Residents like Sherry Hinett were confused when they came to get their free lightbulbs from Waipā Networks at the Cambridge Community Pavilion last week.
“Which one have I got? Bayonet or screw?” a reference to the type of lightbulb they needed for their light sockets at home.
A steady stream of residents lined up for five free generation Ecobulb LED energy-saving light bulbs valued at up to $200.
A sausage sizzle was held as part of the event with funds raised going to the Community House.
The nine-watt bulbs have a 30-year lifespan and provide the same energy as 100 watt conventional bulbs.
The estimated annual power cost of each bulb is $2.73, saving individual households up to $112 a year in power costs.
A total of 85,000 light bulbs are being distributed throughout Waipā as an initiative to light the region more efficiently.
Te Awamutu residents have their opportunity to get the bulbs at the Black Friday Blow Out Street Party on November 25.
And the advice from Sherry Hinett? Check your light sockets first.
The bulb types are:
- 10W Downlight (most common lighting fixture in modern homes)
- 9W B22 Bulb (bayonet – mainly used in hanging light sockets or in a lamp)
- 9W E27 Bulb (screw in – popular fitting for a range of household settings such as lamps and feature lights)
- 4W MR16 Halogen (used in residential settings for directional light)
- 5W GU10 Halogen (spotlight bulb – where directional light is needed in areas such as kitchens).
