More than 39,000 vouchers were redeemed as part of the “Rabla for household appliances” program, for replacing old light bulbs and household appliances with new and energy-efficient ones. This pilot program, with a total estimated budget of approximately €5.34 million, was made possible by funding from the European Union through the “Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis” program, implemented by UNDP.

The program provided financial support, in the form of vouchers, covering up to 80% of the cost of a refrigerator, electric stove, or washing machine, as well as free vouchers worth 500 lei for the purchase of LED bulbs. As a result, vulnerable families acquired 7,246 large household appliances and 303,336 LED bulbs using the vouchers. Additionally, the program facilitated the recycling of 7,246 old and worn-out appliances.

Tatiana Leonti, a voucher beneficiary from Bulboaca village of Anenii Noi district, said that she first heard about the „Rabla for household appliances” program when she registered for compensation for the cold season. She was first given a 500 lei voucher to get energy-saving lamps and then another voucher worth 12,000 lei to purchase whatever they wanted for the house.

Mariana Mariț, a voucher beneficiary from Chișinău, said that she chose to buy a refrigerator as the old one they had from their parents might not be as energy-efficient anymore.

According to estimates, a family can save approximately 1,618 lei per year on their electricity bill just by replacing incandescent bulbs with economical LED ones.

Vadim Filimon, a voucher beneficiary from Căușeni city, said that they changed the bulbs throughout the house, in the basement, barn, the whole house. There is light, it’s much brighter and economical. The savings were felt immediately. Now the bill is 475 lei. The savings were felt almost by half.

After the conclusion of the pilot „Rabla for household appliances” program, it will be taken over and further implemented by the National Center for Sustainable Energy on the ecovoucher.md platform.