FAQs
Program Details Program Logistics
| What happens to the collected mercury-containing thermostats? |
| Summerhill Impact provides each participating contractor with collection kits for the mercury-containing thermostats they remove for their customers. Once collection kits are full, Purolator Courier picks them up and delivers them (at no cost to the contractor) to the recycler. At the recycler, the thermostats are dismantled, plastics and metals are recycled, the glass mercury bulbs are safely removed, and the collected mercury is safely stored. |
| Who funds the program? |
| Switch the 'Stat is funded by the manufacturers and distributors that sell and/or import or have historically sold and/or imported mercury-containing thermostats into Canada. |
| Do new thermostats work as well as older, mercury-containing thermostats? |
| Even better! New programmable thermostats provide you the opportunity to have more control over the temperature of your home and the timing of your air-regulation system. You can save money on your utility bills by limiting air-conditioning and heating use while away from home. |
Program Logistics Program Details
| Where does Switch the 'Stat operate? |
| Currently, Switch the 'Stat operates throughout the Province of Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba. Recently the program has also been expanding to wholesale locations in other Provinces as requested. |
| How can I participate in Switch the 'Stat? |
| You can visit the Participants page to identify a contractor in your area and enlist their services to replace your old thermostat with a newer, more efficient programmable model and responsibly recycle your old thermostat. |
| How can I become a Switch the 'Stat contractor or wholesaler? |
| You can fill out our Registration Form to join the program. Summerhill Impact will send you a collection container and a pre-paid return Purolator waybill within two weeks of registering online. |
| How much does it cost to participate? |
| There is no cost to participate in Switch the 'Stat either as a home owner, contractor or wholesaler. |
| As a contractor/wholesaler, how do I get my full pail of thermostats picked up? |
| Each pail is sent with a pre-paid Purolator waybill. Call the number listed on the waybill (1-888-SHIP-123) and Purolator will pick it up at your location for free. |
| What if I have lost/misplaced my Purolator waybill? |
| Please e-mail Melanie Lum at mlum@summerhillgroup.ca or call 416-922-2448 ext. 367 to request a replacement waybill. |
| How do I request more thermostat pails? |
| To request and additional collection pails, please e-mail Melanie Lum at mlum@summerhillgroup.ca or call 416-922-2448 ext. 367. |
| How often are thermostat pails sent to contractors? |
| After we send the initial pail with resources, a replacement pail is only sent to contractors when a pail of thermostats is returned to our recycler . Our recycler reports collection results at the beginning of each month with information on the contractors/wholesalers that have returned pails. Once we receive this report, we automatically send you a replacement pail. If you require a pail earlier , please e-mail Melanie Lum mlum@summerhillgroup.ca or call 416-922-2448 ext. 367. |
Switch the 'Stat is administered by HRAI and delivered by Summerhill Impact.
© Copyright Summerhill 2012