INUVIK
Four bundles of old Christmas lights are coiled up in the hallway at the Midnight Sun Complex, left by households who have opted to upgrade to a more environmentally-friendly option.

Amber Ipana, left, and Sheena Adams, Inuvik regional energy project co-ordinator with Arctic Energy Alliance, try out the LED-lit hula hoops, recently purchased by the Town of Inuvik. - Elaine Anselmi/NNSL photo

The Arctic Energy Alliance hosted a light-emitting diode (LED) display and exchange program in conjunction with the Inuvik Sunrise Festival.

"It's a great way to connect with the community, be a part of the community and promote LEDs," said Sheena Adams, Inuvik regional energy project co-ordinator.

While the town celebrated the first sunrise after a month of dark skies, Adams offered information on LED lights and a chance to try out energy efficient lighting options.

As the Christmas season wraps up, and strings of colourful lights come down from trees and houses, the exchange allowed community members to swap old strings of Christmas lights for new efficient LED ones.

"I like to engage in community-based social marketing to get the community interested," said Adams.

"I felt like a Christmas light exchange was a good idea to bring awareness to LED bulbs and the energy efficiency of LED bulbs."

As well as the Christmas light exchange, community members tried out LED-lit hoola hoops purchased by the Town of Inuvik for the festival. The hoops glow as they spin, which Adams hoped would help the younger audience learn about LED lights and energy efficiency.

Following the festival, she said they would stay at the rec centre for public use.

Families stopped in to try out the glowing hoops - all five were glowing bright and spinning rapidly around a group of excited kids only an hour after the display opened.

"We're calling it Hoops for Fruit," said Adams, who showed off her own hula-hoop capabilities, and doled out healthy snacks to the kids who gave it a try.

The younger generation certainly seemed to be embracing the LED concept.

Over the past year, the alliance added LED light upgrades to its rebate program, providing 25 per cent of the cost of the bulbs to consumers, if they submit a receipt. Adams said the focus on LED bulbs was really stepped up over the fall, as the hours of daylight shrank away.

Compared to other bulbs, Adams said the alliance is promoting LED because it is the most cost effective and efficient. For example, she said a standard LED bulb costs approximately $108.75 over 25,000 hours of use, requiring 375 kWh of energy. An incandescent bulb at the same cost of energy, would run at $543.75 for the same number of hours, and use 1,875 kWh. Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs are also a more efficient option than incandescent, costing $130.50 for 25,000 hours of use, and taking 450 kWh.

Of the three, in addition to being the most efficient, Adams said LEDs give off a nicer light and are suitable for the cold weather, whereas CFLs have a delay in cold temperatures.