Retiree Wong Hwee Kiat, 63, drove away a cool $90,000 fuel efficient hybrid car in the National Environment Agency's (NEA) nationwide saving energy campaign.

The challenge, 10% Energy Challenge Draw, requires participating households to achieve at least a 10 per cent reduction in their energy consumption from May to August this year compared to their consumption from January to April.

Mr Wong, who lives with his wife and daughter in an executive flat in Sengkang, was able to cut his energy consumption by 28.8 per cent during the qualifying period.

His average monthly electricity consumption from January to April was 462 kWh while during the period May to August, it was reduced to 329 kWh.

NEA's Chief Executive Officer Lee Yuen Hee said: "We are delighted for Mr Wong and hope his win and story of practising simple energy-saving measures at home will inspire more members of the public to do the same.

"Through these individual efforts, they can help to fight climate change and save on their electricity bills as well," he added.

The NEA launched the five-year 10% Energy Challenge campaign in April this year to educate households on energy saving tips.

As part of this campaign, NEA organized a Draw to publicise the campaign and get more households to adopt energy saving tips.

Mr Lee added, "NEA will step up its efforts to raise awareness of energy efficiency among households."

"We will also be collaborating with other government agencies to ensure a concerted and sustained outreach to households that would help them save energy and reduce their electricity bills."

In addition to the 10% Energy Challenge campaign, other NEA energy efficiency programmes launched this year aimed at households included the energy labelling for refrigerators and air-conditioners.

Made mandatory in January, the scheme will help consumers make more informed choices in picking these appliances.

The scheme will be extended to clothes dryers by April 2009 and subsequently to other appliances such as lightings and water heaters by 2010.

NEA recently provided $42,000 to a local company for a pilot project to install the E-Track energy consumption tracking device in 200 HDB flats and to determine the effectiveness of the device in promoting energy efficient behaviour among the participating households.

The trial is expected to be completed in the first half of 2009. If E-Track is found to be useful in promoting energy efficient behaviour amongst households, NEA will study the viability of promoting the uptake E-Track in more homes.