CNP - CenterPoint Energy recommends scheduling Energy Audit to learn how to reduce consumption

CenterPoint Energy recommends scheduling Energy Audit to learn how to reduce consumption

Recent drop in natural gas prices bring some relief but prices still higher than last year

For more information contact
Becca Virden
Phone 612.321.4879
Pager 612.531.1234

MINNEAPOLIS – August 01, 2008 – CenterPoint Energy recommends customers call now to schedule a home energy audit and learn how to lower their energy consumption. The wholesale cost of natural gas remains significantly higher than last year.

“By scheduling a low-cost energy audit with a qualified CenterPoint Energy technician, customers can learn where they have energy loss, how they can reduce their usage and ultimately lower their natural gas bill,” said David Baker, vice president of operations for CenterPoint Energy. “Though wholesale natural gas prices have dropped somewhat recently, the price of natural gas can change quickly and we want our customers to prepare today for higher energy costs this coming winter. We encourage our customers to take advantage of our energy conservation programs and levelized billing program, Budget Plan, all offered on our Web site at CenterPointEnergy.com/readyforwinter.”

The Cost of Gas on a customer’s bill, which changes monthly depending on the market prices, is passed on directly to customers with no mark-up and makes up about 70-80 percent of a natural gas bill. To minimize price volatility, the company has a diversified natural gas supply portfolio designed to provide a reliable supply of gas at a reasonable cost.

The best way to manage higher gas prices is to prepare now by following these additional tips:

Schedule an annual tune-up by a professional to ensure that the heating system and other gas appliances are operating safely and efficiently, and to avoid costly and inconvenient repairs.
Schedule a low-cost energy audit to receive information about ways to reduce energy use and lower energy bills by calling CenterPoint Energy.
Place furniture away from supply vents and registers to avoid restricting airflow.
Take measures now by installing weather stripping, caulking around windows and doors and sealing attic spaces to save energy.
Install a programmable thermostat to regulate the home temperature and adjust it automatically to conserve energy in both the summer and the winter months when energy use is at its peak.
Join the Budget Plan program to spread energy bills throughout the year to avoid peaks and valleys.
Visit the company’s Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com for information about natural gas prices, payment options and energy-saving information.
Customers who are having trouble or anticipate difficulty paying their natural gas bills should call us now to develop a payment plan at 1-612-372-4680 or 1-800-729-6164 or visit the company’s Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com/paybill
If customers are interested in helping others pay their bill, they can support the Salvation Army’s HeatShare program. Visit http://www.heatshare-mn.org/ to make a donation.

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 over $17 billion. With about 8,600 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years. In Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy is the state’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serving nearly 790,000 customers in 260 communities. The utility also operates a non-regulated business in Minnesota called Home Service Plus®. For more information, visit the Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.