On The First Day Of Fall, PECO Reminds Customers To Prepare For Winter Bills

2008-09-22 23:46:02 -

www.peco.com - PECO, Philadelphia Cameron Kline, 215-841-5555 With fall officially arriving today, PECO reminds customers to prepare now for colder weather energy usage by taking advantage of PECO's Web site, energy saving tips and assistance programs.

Customers can begin to save by visiting www.peco.com/save where there is a new Web-based, interactive home that takes visitors from attic to basement with energy saving tips and environmental information. Visitors also will be able to access the company's Web store for a 20 percent discount on energy efficiency products; energy calculators; assistance programs; and energy saving information.

Energy Saving Tips

Everyone can save money by reducing the amount of energy used in the home or office by following these simple energy efficiency tips:

-- Install and use compact florescent light bulbs and ENERGY STAR(R) appliances.

-- Have your furnace professionally inspected every two years. A well-maintained appliance will last longer, operate better and save you money.

-- Replace the filter for your heat pump or furnace for the new heating season. Dirty filters block airflow and force equipment to work harder - this increases operating costs and can cause damage.

-- Inspect the insulation between heated and unheated areas to ensure insulation is at least six inches thick. Insulation is the single most important energy conservation measure. It will deteriorate over time and occasionally needs to be reinforced.

-- If your water heater is 'warm to the touch', it does not have built in insulation and should be wrapped with an insulation blanket.

-- Inspect the caulking or weather stripping around windows, doors and any openings to the outside such as dryer vents or exterior outlets. A drafty house lets warm air escape and is much more costly to keep warm - especially on the coldest days of the season.

-- Remove window air conditioners or install a cover to stop drafts.

Assistance Is A Phone Call Away

The company offers a number of programs for low-and fixed-income customers including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides grants to help meet monthly heating costs. The program's eligibility is based on family size and income, and the application season begins in November of 2008. For more information and eligibility requirements call 1-800-34-HELP-4. Other assistance programs include:

-- The Customer Assistance Program (CAP): Discounted electric and natural gas rates for low- and fixed-income customers.

-- The Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF): Funded by voluntary contributions of caring citizens and matched by PECO for up to $500 in total assistance for those who qualify.

-- Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP): Provides conservation and weatherization assistance for qualified households year-round. For more information and eligibility requirements, call 1-800-675-0222.

All PECO customers who are in good financial standing, should consider taking advantage of PECO's budget billing program, which makes short-term fluctuation in monthly bills much easier to handle by dividing annual energy costs evenly. Visit www.peco.com/save for information.

Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility serving 1.6 million electric and 480,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,500 people in the region. PECO delivered 86 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 39.9 billion kilowatt-hours-hours of electricity in 2007. Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater Philadelphia Region's most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs and organizations.

Take advantage of PECO's Web site, energy saving tips and
assistance programs