The Hamilton Tiger-Cats helped Horizon Utilities and the Ontario Power Authority score an extra point for the environment when all-star kicker Nick Setta, converted an energy-guzzling refrigerator into electricity cost savings to kick-off the second season of The Great Refrigerator Roundup.

Horizon Utilities and the Ticats recently renewed their partnership to motivate more people to go on the offensive and remove energy-sapping fridges and freezers from the electricity system.

"We're committed to helping create a culture of conservation -- what better way to build awareness for that goal than to team with an organization that knows how to rally community support," says Brian Smith, manager of conservation and demand management for Horizon Utilities.

Old, inefficient appliances draw as much as three times the electricity of newer Energy Star models. Consumers can tackle wasteful consumption and save on their utility expenses while reducing grid demand and CO2 emissions simply by unplugging and removing energy-guzzling fridges and freezers.

4,700 appliances

Horizon's goal is to round up 4,700 appliances in 2008. That alone would free up enough energy to power about 620 typical Ontario homes and save 1,337 tonnes of CO2.

Horizon Utilities began collecting refrigerators as part of a pilot program in 2006.

Since then, more than 4,000 appliances have been gathered from customers in Hamilton and St. Catharines.

They're consumers like the Ardron family of Dundas, who decided to give their 1980s fridge the boot when they upgraded to Energy Star appliances and realized they wouldn't achieve the potential energy savings while keeping their old fridge operating in the basement.

"We're committed to doing what we can to reduce our ecological footprint so buying more energy efficient appliances was important," said Greg Ardron.

"Plus, with two university-aged daughters and a third close to graduating high school, every penny saved is important. The old fridge was mostly empty most of the time - having it picked up for recycling was a no-brainer."

Consumers can sign up at www.everykilowattcounts.com/roundup or call 1-877-797-9473 to book a free refrigerator pick-up. Upon request, window air conditioners and smaller bar fridges will also be collected along with fridge and/or freezer pick-ups.