| "Using less natural gas means cost savings and even rebates on some appliances for customers of Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana." "The company has launched a program, called Conservation Connection, to help both residential and commercial customers implement energy-efficient measures and lower their monthly gas bills." " It includes an online energy audit at www.vectren.com to pinpoint energy usage and ways to save money and energy based on the age of appliances such as a furnace or natural gas clothes washer and dryer." "?This audit is different as it ties our customers to their specific usage information over the past 12 months. It allows you to determine if your bills are in line or if you need to take steps to save money,? said Douglas Karl, vice president of marketing and customer service for Vectren." "If a customer does not have a computer, call the company?s hotline at 1-866-240-8476 for an energy audit." "Many homes may have furnaces more than 15 years old, which are likely to be about 40 to 60 percent efficient, compared with new" "As an example, an owner of a single-story, 1,300-square-foot home with a furnace more than 15 years old can save 130 to 220 thermal units a year with a new furnace ? $150 to $260 a year in annual savings." "The program includes rebates for appliances bought after Dec. 1, such as $250 for a high-efficiency natural gas furnace; $130 for an efficient natural gas dryer: $100 for a washer; $50 for a high-efficiency, 30-gallon water heater; and $20 for a programmable thermostat, which lowers the temperature in the home when people are not typically home." "Such a thermostat can save about 5 percent a year on heating bills by turning back the thermostat five degrees for eight hours a day, Karl said." "Conservation Connection also pays $1,000 for new home construction that adopts ?Energy Star? home standards." "Commercial rebates include up to $5,000 for a high-efficiency natural gas boiler and up to $5,000 for natural gas boiler controls. Also $250 for both natural gas boiler tune-ups and high-efficiency natural gas furnace." "Some other rebates include $1,000 for a high-efficiency natural gas combination oven or $600
... read the whole article |