Electric
Utilities Offer Home Heating Help
Nov 8, 2005 - PR Newswire
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- With today's news from the U.S.
Energy Information Administration (EIA) that consumers will likely be
paying as much as 41 percent more, on average, than last year to heat
their home, the nation's shareholder-owned electric utilities are
telling their customers that energy-saving advice and help is a phone
call or 'mouse' click away. Low- income customers, who spend a
disproportionate amount of their income on energy, will find assistance
from electric utilities nationwide as well.
Mike McGrath, EEI's Executive Director of Retail Energy Services,
said, "Consumers should start now to make their home more energy
efficient. And the best place to start is at their electric utility. All
utilities offer free energy-saving advice. More and more are now also
offering an online energy audit, which can tell you where your home or
business might be wasting energy. Many also have other services, such as
new home construction programs, rebates on efficient products, and low
interest loans to make energy efficiency improvements."
Little steps to save energy can really add up. "Consumers and
businesses working with electric utilities during the past 10 years have
saved an amount equal to the yearly electric use of 52 million homes,"
said McGrath.
The electric utility industry also has help for the nation's low-
income customers this winter. Many electric utilities offer billing
assistance, weatherization, economic development, community outreach,
and more.
EEI is urging additional funding for a key federal program, the Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as well. To learn more
about the electric power industry's support for low- income customers,
visit
http://www.eei.org/retail/low-incom e.
Finally, there is much consumers can do themselves to take charge of
their energy use. And they can do so at little or no cost. EEI has
produced a free booklet, "More than 100 Ways to Improve Your Electric
Bill" that offers energy saving tips and advice for using energy more
efficiently throughout the home (http://www.eei.org).
This booklet also describes the new federal tax credits that will be
offered to consumers starting in January.
For more on improving energy efficiency and the help available from
the electric utility industry, please visit EEI's Web site at
http://www.eei.org/wiseuse.
Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association of U.S.
shareholder- owned electric companies, international affiliates and
industry associates worldwide. Our U.S. members serve roughly 90 percent
of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the
industry, nearly 70 percent of all electric utility ultimate customers
in the nation, and generate nearly 70 percent of the electricity
produced in the United States. SOURCE Edison Electric Institute
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