WarmWise Energy Efficiency Program Saves Money, Promotes Conservation
4/7/2010 7:40:08 AM
Contact: Bob Innes
(804) 768-6410
(804) 512-1425 – mobile
rinnes@nisource.com
Natural Gas customers can get cash rebates as well as recommendations specific to their homes
Columbia Gas of Virginia (Columbia) customers can now save money on their natural gas bills by taking advantage of tools, incentives and rebates offered through WarmWise, an energy efficiency and conservation program launched today. WarmWise provides direct support to Columbia’s residential and small business customers in implementing cost-saving energy conservation measures and integrates the company’s support of state and federal sponsored weatherization programs targeting residential low-income customers to help achieve energy efficiency in their homes.
A key feature of the program is the WarmWise Home Savings Evaluation. This online tool allows customers to enter information about the size, age, appliances and other features of their home and in turn get personalized recommendations for the lowest cost ways to save money on their natural gas bills. Customers who complete the evaluation also may be eligible to receive free energy efficiency measures, including faucet aerators, low-flow shower heads, hot water heater blankets and pipe insulation.
Cash rebates supporting efficiency efforts are another key feature of the WarmWise program. WarmWise contains a set of 22 separate rebates that are available to help offset the costs to residential and small business customers who install certain types of new high efficiency equipment or take other weatherization steps. More details are available at the WarmWise Web site.
“We are excited to introduce this initiative today because of the savings opportunities WarmWise offers our customers, especially during these challenging economic times,” said Carl Levander, president, Columbia Gas of Virginia. “WarmWise also supports Columbia's commitment to environmental responsibility. Helping our customers take active steps to conserve their usage of natural gas helps us all promote a stable energy future, and demonstrate that we are making smart choices to preserve our natural resources and environment.”
In addition to the Home Savings Evaluation, WarmWise offers educational information about the environmental importance of energy efficiency and conservation along with tips for conserving in other areas. Columbia also is working with a network of service providers and equipment installation companies to share information and answer questions about the financial incentives available to customers making decisions about purchasing or replacing equipment or taking steps to weatherize their home or business.
Columbia’s energy conservation program was approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission in December. The company will invest $8.5 million over three years (2010-2012) to implement WarmWise, and has been approved to administer approximately a half million dollars in funding for appliance rebates that have been provided by the federal government to Virginia through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Customers who fully participate in the program can save up to $350 annually on their natural gas bills.
About Columbia Gas of Virginia
Columbia Gas of Virginia, with headquarters in Chesterfield County, is one of the nine energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). Columbia Gas of Virginia serves nearly 240,000 customers in portions of Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, suburban Richmond, Central Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, the Lynchburg region and parts of Western Virginia.
NiSource distribution companies serve 3.8 million gas and electric customers primarily in nine states. More information about Columbia Gas of Virginia is available at columbiagasva.com.
About Natural Gas
Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel. The use of natural gas results in virtually no atmospheric emissions of sulfur dioxide or small particulate matter and far lower emissions than other fossil fuels. Because natural gas burns cleanly, its use can be an effective means of controlling pollution.