Winter Bills Expected to be up to 20% Lower on Average Than Last Winter Depending on Customer Usage and Normal Weather
30 Septembre 2009 - 6:35PM
PR Newswire (US)
CenterPoint Energy recommends scheduling an Energy Audit to learn
how to reduce consumption and save on total bill MINNEAPOLIS, Sept.
30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CenterPoint Energy will pass on lower
wholesale natural gas prices to customers in Minnesota. With the
lower price of natural gas, an average residential customer's bill
in Minnesota that was $137 last winter could average $110 this
coming winter. The Cost of Gas on a customer's bill, which changes
monthly depending on the market prices, is passed on directly to
customers with no mark-up and makes up about 70-80 percent of a
natural gas bill. The actual total bill will vary depending on the
amount of natural gas used. CenterPoint Energy recommends customers
call now to schedule a home energy audit and learn how to lower
their energy consumption to save even more on their total bill.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/CNPLOGO) "The
lower natural gas prices of the summer are a direct benefit of a
tough economic market," said David Baker, division regional vice
president of Gas Operations. "We are happy our customers will
benefit from lower wholesale natural gas prices going into the
winter heating season, since natural gas usage increases due to
heating needs." Baker adds, "By scheduling a low-cost energy audit
with a qualified CenterPoint Energy technician, customers can learn
where they have energy loss, how they can reduce their usage and
ultimately lower their total natural gas bill even more." Customers
are encouraged to take advantage of energy conservation programs
and levelized billing programs to help manage their natural gas
bills. By following some simple energy savings tips, customers can
have even lower natural gas bills this winter. Furnace: A furnace
is the largest natural gas consumer, and makes up about 70 percent
of your natural gas bill. -- Schedule an annual tune-up by a
professional to ensure that the heating system and other gas
appliances are operating safely and efficiently, and to avoid
costly and inconvenient repairs. -- Lower your thermostat to 68
degrees when you're awake and lower when you are asleep or away
from home. By lowering your thermostat 10 - 15 degrees for eight
hours a day, you can save up to 10 percent a year on your heating
costs. Installing a programmable thermostat can help you
automatically control your heat usage. Add on extra layers of
clothing to keep warm. -- Change your air filters monthly. A dirty
filter restricts airflow and can increase the operating cost of
your furnace by as much as 10 percent. A good reminder is to change
the filter each time you receive your natural gas bill. Water
heater: The water heater is the second-largest gas consuming
appliance making up about 25 percent of your bill. -- Set the water
heater temperature at 120 degrees and wrap any exposed water heater
pipes. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees from 140 degrees and
insulating your pipes can save you up to 10 percent on your water
heating costs. Other appliances: Although they consume less natural
gas, you can still maximize their efficiency. -- Run your washing
machine, dish washer and gas dryer only with full loads. Make your
home more airtight and keep cold air outside: -- Seal leaks around
doors, windows and other openings such as pipes or ducts, with
caulk or weather-stripping. The most common places where air
escapes in homes are floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, fireplaces,
plumbing penetrations, doors, windows, fans, vents, and electrical
outlets. -- If it has been a while, consider adding more insulation
in your attic. -- On sunny days, open draperies and blinds to let
the sun's warmth in. Close them at night to insulate against the
cold air outside. Get rebates for installation of energy saving
equipment: -- Homeowners and businesses: CenterPoint Energy's
package of energy saving programs for efficient natural gas
equipment can lower your energy use and operating costs, visit
http://www.centerpointenergy.com/rebates . Schedule a low-cost
energy audit: -- Receive information about ways to reduce energy
use and lower energy bills by visiting
http://www.centerpointenergy.com/energyaudit. Request the Gas
Affordability Program (GAP): -- GAP is designed to help qualifying
customers lower their monthly gas bills and pay past due balances.
Customers must have an active Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) guarantee or have received a LIHEAP grant for the
current heating season to qualify for the GAP program. If qualified
and accepted into the program, customers can receive credits on
their monthly natural gas bill. Join CenterPoint Energy's Budget
Billing Plan: -- Customers should also consider getting on
CenterPoint Energy's Budget Plan. By spreading your payments evenly
throughout the year, you have a predictable, levelized payment each
month and avoid high winter bill peaks. Call CenterPoint Energy: --
Customers can visit http://www.centerpointenergy.com/readyforwinter
for helpful information on ways to save energy and money. --
Customers who are having trouble or anticipate difficulty paying
their natural gas bills can call us now to develop a payment plan
at 1-612-372-4680 or 1-800-729-6164 or visit the company's Web site
at http://www.centerpointenergy.com/paybill. Obtain state
information on how to stay safe and warm: -- The Stay Warm
Minnesota campaign was launched to help every Minnesota family
experience a safe and comfortable winter. Visit
http://www.staywarm.mn.gov/ for useful information regarding energy
efficiency and heating assistance programs provided by the federal
and state government, private industry, non profits and energy
utilities. CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston,
Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric
transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution,
competitive natural gas sales and services, interstate pipelines,
and field services operations. The company serves more than five
million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets totaling nearly
$19 billion. With about 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its
predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130
years. In Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy is the state's largest
natural gas distribution utility, serving nearly 790,000 customers
in 260 communities. The utility also operates a non-regulated
business in Minnesota called Home Service Plus®. For more
information, visit the Web site at
http://www.centerpointenergy.com/home For more information contact:
Becca Virden Phone 651.285-8129 Pager 612.538.1234
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/CNPLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CONTACT: Becca Virden of CenterPoint Energy, Inc., +1-651-285-8129,
Pager, +1-612-538-1234 Web Site: http://www.centerpointenergy.com/
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