“Bulb Blasters” provides fun way to learn efficiency
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Xcel Energy announced today it has launched its first-ever iPhone
application called “Bulb Blasters,” a game with a mission to conquer
energy inefficiency.
Players fire a compact fluorescent light bulb cannon to blast
energy-sucking incandescent light bulbs out of the sky. As players
progress to more difficult levels, they receive an efficiency message
about saving energy, money and the universe. They can also post their
scores and challenge friends.
“The game is part of a larger campaign to increase awareness around the
energy efficiency benefits of CFLs and to encourage consumers to install
them in their homes,” says Kim Sherman, product portfolio manager for
Xcel Energy. “This is a unique forum designed to engage our younger
consumers and our tech-savvy audience to keep efficiency top of mind
while having fun blasting away incandescent bulbs.”
In yet another part of the campaign, Xcel Energy is partnering with
retailers in its service territory to offer CFLs for as little as a
dollar each to make it easier and less expensive for people to switch
from incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient CFLs. Consumers can
visit responsiblebynature.com
and type in their zip code to find retailers, learn how much they can
save, and find bulb types for different fixtures.
Xcel Energy partnered with advertising agency Vladimir Jones and Voltage
Digital Advertising and Design to create the game, patterned after
Atari’s “Space Invaders.” Although Bulb Blasters is meant to draw
younger consumers, it also appeals to the nostalgia of older gamers that
remember the popular Space Invaders game.
Energy efficiency messages shown at various points throughout the game
include:
-
CFLs are 75 percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs
-
One CFL saves enough energy to pay for itself in just three months
-
Energy continues to be saved over the estimated 7-10 year life of the
bulb, providing up to $50 in energy savings
Bulb Blasters is free and can be downloaded for the iPad, iPhone and
iPod Touch at www.bulbblasters.com
and the Apple store.
Learn more at www.responsiblebynature.com
or m.responsiblebynature.com on mobile devices.
Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas
company that provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related
products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9
million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies
in eight Western and Midwestern states. Company headquarters are located
in Minneapolis. More information is available at xcelenergy.com.
Source: Xcel Energy
Contact:
Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy Media Relations, 612-215-5300
www.xcelenergy.com