Retail energy provider expands choice in Duke Energy service area

CINCINNATI, Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- As Ohioans prepare for the coming cold, new options in natural gas and electricity are available to residential customers from Direct Energy, a leading North American energy retailer. For the first time in the company's history in the state, Direct Energy is offering both electricity and natural gas pricing plans to residents in Cincinnati and surrounding areas.

To provide consumers in the Duke Energy service area an opportunity for savings and price stability throughout the upcoming winter months, Direct Energy is offering the following plans:

For natural gas customers:

• A 12-month, fixed price of $0.619 per thousand cubic feet (ccf)
• No early cancellation fee
• Senior citizens and military personnel are eligible for a discounted price of $0.599 per ccf

For electricity customers:

• A 12-month, fixed price of $0.078 per kilowatt hour (kWh)
• No early cancellation fee
• Senior citizens and military personnel will receive a special price of $0.069 per kWh

"Direct Energy is offering customers new options when it comes to meeting their energy needs," said Steven Murray, president of Direct Energy's residential business.  "With these prices, Direct Energy is looking to provide not only an opportunity for savings but also peace-of-mind. Customers who sign up with Direct Energy know exactly what price they will pay each month for their energy plan."

In addition to providing customers stable pricing to better budget for their energy costs, Direct Energy is focused on helping customers use energy more efficiently by offering expert energy efficiency advice to keep usage in check during the cold winter months. The following tips offer a glance at the short- and long-term suggestions Direct Energy offers to address usage needs:

Quick Fixes

• Seal your doors, windows and air ducts with weather-stripping or caulk.
• Dress warmly or throw on an extra blanket when indoors and lower your thermostat; the US Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat to 68 degrees F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home in the winter. Their stats also reveal that you can save 5-15 percent a year on heating costs when the heat is set back 10 degrees–15 degrees for 8 hours – like when everyone's at work and school, for example.
• Turn off heat or close vents in unused rooms and shut the doors.
• Change the direction of airflow on your ceiling fan. For those cold, winter months, the blades should operate in a clockwise direction, helping to push the warm air from the ceiling down into the room.

Lasting Fixes

• Clean or replace your system's filter regularly to keep your heating and cooling system running smoothly and efficiently. A good rule of thumb is to clean or change your filter each time you pay your energy bill.
• Install a programmable thermostat which can automatically lower and raise your home's air temperature when you are at work or sleeping.

For more on Direct Energy's energy efficiency tips and information, please visit www.directenergy.com and navigate to the About Us, Committed to Energy Efficiency section.

"We understand the financial impact that home heating and cooling has on our customers. When possible, we are committed to easing the cost burden to our customers by bringing alternative pricing plans and energy efficiency education to the market," said Murray.

Customers who are interested in more information about Direct Energy's products and services, or who wish to switch to Direct Energy can call, toll-free, 1-888-566-9988 or visit the company's website at: www.directenergy.com  

Direct Energy in Ohio

Direct Energy has operated in Ohio since 2004 and supplies natural gas to thousands of customers in the state.  The company currently has residential customers in Dominion East Ohio, Columbia Gas of Ohio and Vectren Energy service territories and large commercial and industrial customers in Duke Energy, Dayton Power and Light, Columbia Gas Ohio, West Ohio Gas, Dominion East Ohio and First Energy service territories. Direct Energy also provides energy-related services to residential and business customers through its U.S. Home Services business, headquartered in Miami Township, Ohio.  U.S. Home Services affiliates Airtron, Willis heating and air conditioning and Clockwork Home Services companies under the brands One Hour Heating and Air Condition and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing provide service in Cincinnati, Dayton and surrounding areas.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE:CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada.

SOURCE Direct Energy

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