BY BILL BRADLEY
[email protected]
With oil hitting $110 a barrel and gasoline prices up to $1.15 a litre around town this week, saving energy is a priority for everybody.
One New Sudbury retired couple, Franco and Irene Sacchetto, got the jump on high energy costs y participating in a city wide energy efficiency contest.
They won $11,500 in energy efficient products from over 40 retail partners with EarthCare Sudbury, the city's efficiency advocates. The couple participated in their first ever Greater Home Energy Efficiency contest. The contest closed Feb. 29, 2008 and the Sacchettos picked up their prize Monday at Tom Davies Square.
Prizes included Energy Star appliances such as a Maytag washer, Kenmore refrigerator, Whirlpool dishwasher, Classic dehumidifier, Starlight ceiling fan, steel entrance door,  water cooler, Canon Pixma all-in-one printer, Sharp air filter, DVD player and RCA home theatre system amongst others. In addition, water saving devices included  a low flow toilet, a bathroom shower kit including deluxe aerator spray, low flow shower head and hot water jacket.
There were coupons for a home energy evaluation, furnace tune up and insulation. Other odds and ends included high density furnace filters, five sets of LED holiday lights, Emerald garden solar lights, crank radio, programmable thermostat, power bars, motion sensors and dimmer switches and a $100 gift certificate on any appliance repair.
"We found out about the contest by reading Northern Life,"
said Irene Sacchetto.
"Then  we went around to some of the businesses and put in
our entry into the ballot boxes," she said.
"My favourite prize is the reiker fan. It blows heat and cools too in summer and hangs out the window. We do not have air conditioning so we will enjoy that," she said.
She is familiar with the value of the products because she worked as a  secretary for Bill Plaunt Lumber when it was located on Larch St. in the past.
Franco Sacchetto, a former bricklayer and smelter worker for Falconbridge, was impressed with the appliances he and Irene won.
"Our appliances are older and I expect do use a lot of energy according to our hydro bills. So upgrading to a more energy saving fridge, hot water heater, and washing machine will save us money," said Sacchetto.
For more information, phone 674-4455, ext. 4663 or email [email protected] .
