The annual event, which encourages people to turn out lights for one hour at a specific time to take a stand against climate change, had grown to include a focus on longer-term efforts, Central Otago Reap enviroschools co-ordinator Steve Brown said.
A board has been set up in the foyer of the community house and tenants are being encouraged to publicly declare what they plan to do.
Mr Brown pledged to open windows before using air conditioning, while Alexandra Community House manager Carole Gillions pledged to ensure all house tenants got heat pump training to make sure they knew how to use the units effectively.
Mr Brown said he was also continuing his pledge from last year - to use reusable bags and energy-saving lightbulbs.
Other pledges included walking or biking instead of driving whenever possible.
He said while the house was central to the community and therefore a good place to display the board, it was also flying the flag for sustainability - it has a solar hot water system and a solar energy generation system.
The worldwide event organised by the World Wildlife Fund started in Sydney in 2007. It will take place at 8.30pm tonight but Mr Brown encouraged people to ''go beyond the hour''.
''After the lights go back on think about what else you can do to make a difference.''
