CenterPoint Energy Encourages Minnesota State Fair Visitors to Take a Walk on Green Street

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- CenterPoint Energy encourages Minnesota State Fair visitors to take a walk on Green Street in the Eco Experience building to learn ways to reduce their home's energy use, protect the environment and save money for years to come.  

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"The Minnesota State Fair marks the end of summer and is a reminder that colder weather is around the corner.  Now is the time to begin to prepare for fall and winter by finding out how to improve home energy efficiency," said Larry Pitsch, Conservation Improvement Program manager for CenterPoint Energy.  "Visitors to Green Street can learn from experts and ask questions about how a home energy audit can help them plan home improvements that will increase their home's energy efficiency.  Homeowners can also find out how to qualify for utility rebates and Federal tax credits."

"We are confident that visitors to the Eco Experience will learn about new and enhanced programs that make it easier than ever to invest in energy efficiency," added Doug Peterson, director of marketing and sales for CenterPoint Energy. "Homeowners who take steps to improve their homes energy efficiency will experience greater comfort, savings on monthly energy bills and reduce their impact on the environment.  A homeowner who installs a high-efficiency heating system, high-efficiency water heater and low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators could reduce their energy use by up to 20 percent."

CenterPoint Energy's Conservation Improvement Program for residential customers includes:

• Rebates for high efficiency equipment including high efficiency water heaters, furnaces and boilers, and natural gas fireplaces with electronic ignition.  Customers can receive up to $500 when they upgrade or replace their furnace or boiler.
• Home energy audits to educate customers on steps they can take to make their homes more energy efficient.  A certified energy auditor will conduct an analysis of the customer's home and compile a report with specific actions to improve the home's energy efficiency.  Customers will also receive up to $25 in weatherization materials at the time of the energy audit.
• Free low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to save water and energy costs.  CenterPoint Energy residential customers are eligible to receive up to three free showerheads, and three faucet aerators, even if they have participated in previous programs
• Home Energy Squad is an innovative program, jointly offered by CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy.  Home Energy Squad technicians conduct a quick assessment of energy efficiency opportunities in the home, consult with the customer regarding their findings and then install the chosen equipment, all in one visit.  Customers benefit from the installation of such items as programmable thermostats, weather stripping, CFL light bulbs and more.  
• Air sealing and insulation rebates to help defray the expense of sealing leaks and upgrading the home's insulation.  CenterPoint Energy will rebate 50 percent of qualifying expenses up to a maximum of $400.

Since the introduction of the Conservation Improvement Program in 1992, CenterPoint Energy has helped customers save approximately 10.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas, enough energy to supply 119,000 households for one year, and up to $70 million in energy cost savings. These programs have also benefited the environment by reducing customers' total carbon footprint by 572,000 metric tons or enough to remove 82,000 cars from the roadway for one year.

All homeowners, businesses and schools in Minnesota are encouraged to take advantage of CenterPoint Energy's energy saving programs that can lower energy usage, cut costs and help the environment. Please visit us at CenterPointEnergy.com/rebates.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, interstate pipelines and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas,

Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Assets total more than $19 billion. With about 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 135 years. In Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy is the state's largest natural gas distribution utility, serving about 800,000 customers in 260 communities. The utility also operates a non-regulated business in Minnesota called Home Service Plus®. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy