Laclede Gas Program Increases Savings During Missouri Tax Holiday

Consumers Taking Advantage of Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday Could Receive Additional $200 from Utility's High-Efficiency Rebates

ST. LOUIS, April 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Laclede Gas customers who purchase an ENERGY STAR rated natural gas furnace or boiler during Missouri's Show-Me Green sales tax holiday, April 19-25, can significantly add to their savings through a program from the natural gas utility. The company's Residential High-Efficiency Heating Equipment Rebate Program provides money back to customers for the installation of high-efficiency heating systems and thermostats.

Owners of, or customers living in, a house or other individually metered dwelling unit can receive up to $200 back when purchasing furnaces or boilers rated high in annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). To qualify, natural gas boilers must have an AFUE rating of 90% or better and natural gas furnaces must have an AFUE rating of 92% or better (the highest rebate is granted for natural gas furnaces with an AFUE of 96%). Program participants may apply through Laclede Gas or with the assistance of their contractor. More details on this program are available at www.lacledegas.com - click on the "Energy Conservation" tab, then go to "Conservation & Energy Efficiency Programs."

As an example, a customer takes advantage of the Missouri Show-Me Green sales tax holiday by purchasing a new natural gas high-efficiency furnace (AFUE rating of 93%) with the ENERGY STAR rating. By combining the state tax break, tax holidays also offered by certain Missouri cities and counties from April 19-25, Laclede's High-Efficiency Heating Equipment rebate, and annual savings on the operating cost for that furnace, this customer could enjoy savings of roughly $350 in the first year of ownership.

"ENERGY STAR high-efficiency natural gas furnaces can provide operating cost savings of more than 10% when compared to standard furnaces," said Laclede Utilization Engineering Manager Tom Schultz, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional. "Our customers - and our environment - truly benefit from the conservation and energy-efficiency improvements available." Laclede Gas Company is an active member of the national U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and Schultz is a board member of USGBC's St. Louis Regional Chapter.

A subsidiary of The Laclede Group (NYSE: LG), Laclede Gas Company has provided safe and reliable service to the residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area for more than 150 years. It is the largest gas distribution company in Missouri, serving more than 630,000 natural gas customers in St. Louis and surrounding counties in Eastern Missouri.

SOURCE Laclede Gas Company