The City of Milwaukee Goes Mobile to Save Residents Energy

Aug. 3, 2011 - PRLog -- Milwaukee, WI– The City of Milwaukee in partnership with locally founded Eco Hatchery LLC is introducing to residents a free smartphone app, Light Bulb Finder, that enables users to find energy-efficient light bulbs with the right light quality, fit and performance.

The Light Bulb Finder app is available as a free download on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices. Residents can sign in with their Milwaukee zip code to connect with local energy programs that can increase savings on their energy bills.

“The City is partnering with Eco Hatchery to provide Milwaukee residents one more tool to make lowering energy costs easier,” said Matt Howard, Director of City of Milwaukee’s Office of Environmental Sustainability.

The Light Bulb Finder app empowers users to instantly calculate their own home's savings potential and make informed decisions about which bulbs to replace for the greatest financial payback. The average American household can save over $120 a year by switching from incandescent to energy-efficient lighting.

Users walk throughout their homes with smartphone app, entering information about fixtures and current incandescent bulb types. Light Bulb Finder provides instant recommendations for energy-efficient equivalents, including each bulb’s price and financial payback.

Users can create shopping lists and purchase compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) directly through the app or at local retail stores.

For this unique smartphone program, the app’s developer, Eco Hatchery, will track and report the City’s aggregate energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. App users will also be able to directly tap into the City’s resources and programs which help residents and businesses reduce energy related costs.

“Besides learning about energy-saving lighting choices, this app provides information about important City programs to help residents save energy, time and money like the Milwaukee Energy Efficiency program and the Milwaukee Shines Solar Loan program,” said Howard.

Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (ME2) is an innovative program that helps Milwaukee homeowners make energy efficiency upgrades to their homes by providing  energy audits, contractors and help with state and federal incentives and low-interest financing.

The City of Milwaukee’s solar program, Milwaukee Shines, provides low-interest financing for solar projects, as well as education and resources to learn more about the technology. More information on the City’s energy programs can be found at www.milwaukee.gov/sustainability

Milwaukee Shines is a project of the City of Milwaukee’s Office of Environmental Sustainability and funded through a US Department of Energy grant and donations. The City of Milwaukee ME2 program is funded through two US Department of Energy grants.

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Eco Hatchery is a Milwaukee-based firm that specializes in energy-saving software and mobile applications. The company’s flagship mobile app, Light Bulb Finder, combines a user-friendly interface, e-commerce, and social networking with location-based marketing campaigns to promote local sustainability programs. For more information, visit www.ecohatchery.com and www.lightbulbfinder.net.