CenterPoint Energy Services marks one year of helping Houstonians save money on their electric bills

35,000 consumers currently enrolled on myTrueCost.com, a free electric plan shopping website

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Sep 24, 2013, 04:10 ET

HOUSTON, Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CenterPoint Energy Services' (CES) electric plan shopping website, myTrueCost.com, is marking one year of saving thousands of Houstonians money on their electric bills by helping them switch to a plan that better matches how they use electricity. A recent survey revealed that TrueCost customers report saving on average more than 20 percent on their electric rate when they sign up for a new plan.*

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TrueCost is the first and only website of its kind that lets consumers use data from their home or business smart meter to compare electric plans from many providers, and then switch to a new plan all on the same site. Shoppers get price estimates based on their usage with taxes and fees included, all in an easy-to-compare format.

"You can make an immediate impact on your electric bill just by lowering the rate you're paying for power," said Shane McLaughlin, manager of Mass Markets for CES. "Visiting myTrueCost.com lets you quickly compare plans and find out if you're paying too much for electricity. And the fall season is one of the best times to update your electric plan because rates typically drop, as shown on the CenterPoint Energy Electric Price Index."

TrueCost has undergone its first major upgrade using 'responsive design' technology that automatically resizes the display for a consumer's phone, tablet or desktop computer.

"About 35,000 people are currently registered users and analytics show that 20 percent of them are using mobile (tablet or phone) devices," added McLaughlin. "These upgrades are part of our ongoing commitment to help consumers buy and use energy wisely, and get useful information in a way that works best for them."

The creation of myTrueCost.com and the continued upgrades to the site are all part of CenterPoint Energy's larger commitment to invest in technology -- especially mobile friendly technologies -- to make it easier for customers to interact with the company.

To learn more about how TrueCost can help you save on your electric bill, visit myTrueCost.com.

* Savings based upon survey conducted in March 2013 of TrueCost customers who switched plans and is based on self-reported savings on electric rates. Plans and prices change daily. Your savings may not be the same. Visit myTrueCost.com for personalized plan services.

CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc. (CES), which manages TrueCost, is not the same legal entity as CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. (CERC) or CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC (CEHE), nor is CES regulated by the Railroad Commission of Texas or the Public Utility Commission of Texas. You do not have to buy products or services from CES in order to continue to receive quality regulated services from CERC or CEHE.

About CenterPoint Energy Services and CenterPoint Energy

CenterPoint Energy Services is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Houston-area electric consumers do not have to buy products/services from CES in order to continue receiving quality services from CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, a regulated electric transmission and distribution service provider.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and competitive natural gas sales and services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company also owns a 58.3 percent limited partner interest in a midstream partnership it jointly controls with OGE Energy Corp. with operations in major natural gas and liquids-rich producing areas of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. With more than 8,700 employees, CenterPoint and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 135 years. For more information, visit the website at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.