MINNEAPOLIS - March 8, 2010 - CenterPoint Energy is significantly increasing the energy efficiency programs it offers to help residential and business customers lower their energy costs. The company’s new programs now offer in-home visits by energy efficiency experts, who will perform a home energy analysis and make energy efficiency improvements and feature new insulation and hearth rebates. In addition, the company is enhancing existing heating system, water heater and low-flow showerhead programs. All told, residential customers may be eligible for more than $800 in energy efficiency rebates, which could help them save nearly $200 on their energy bills each year.

“These are the largest incentives we’ve ever offered, and we hope to make it easier than ever before for customers to make energy-saving improvements,” said David Baker, division vice president of regional operations for CenterPoint Energy. “A customer who installs a high-efficiency heating system, a high-efficiency water heater and low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators could reduce their natural gas bill by up to 20 percent-which is good for consumers’ wallets and the reduction in energy use helps the environment too.”

New Residential Energy Efficiency Program Details

• Home Energy Squad - Through this new pilot program from CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy, customers in select areas can receive a home visit by trained technicians who will assess a home’s efficiency and make energy-saving installations, including low-flow showerheads, programmable thermostats, compact fluorescent light bulbs and much more. Customers only pay for materials and the labor is free. Customers may contact the Home Energy Squad at 866-222-4595 to verify their eligibility and to schedule an appointment. Additional information is also available at homeenergysquad.net.
• Insulation Rebates - Customers can receive a rebate for 50 percent of the cost of improvements, up to $400, for air sealing and insulation installed by a licensed contractor. An energy audit by a state-certified auditor is required as a prerequisite for this program.
• Hearth Rebates - Customers can receive a $75 rebate for direct-vent natural gas fireplaces, inserts and free-standing stoves that have an electronic ignition.

Enhanced Residential Energy Efficiency Program Details

• Heating System Rebates - Customers can receive up to a $500 rebate when they replace or upgrade their furnace or boiler to a high-efficiency model.
• Water Heater Rebates - CenterPoint Energy customers can now enjoy a rebate up to $100 for high-efficiency natural gas storage tank water heaters and a new $200 rebate for indirect water heaters.
• Free Low-Flow Showerheads and Faucet Aerators - CenterPoint Energy’s popular low-flow showerhead program has been enhanced, with the introduction of new, more efficient showerheads and low-flow faucet aerators for kitchens and bathrooms. Customers may now request up to three showerheads and three aerators, free of charge.
• Low-cost Home Energy Audits - Home Energy Audits are a great way to assess where energy efficiency improvements may be needed. Customers can choose between a Basic Audit, which provides an overview of their home’s energy use and recommendations for efficiency improvements, and a Standard Audit, a more in-depth audit, which includes a blower door test, infrared camera inspection and combustion safety test to more precisely identify areas for improvement. Customers may call 612-321-5011 (toll-free 800-234-5800, ext. 5011) or go to CenterPointEnergy.com/energyaudit to request an appointment.

CenterPoint Energy is also offering energy efficiency incentives for businesses- the higher the efficiency of the equipment- the higher the rebate. Companies that purchase a qualifying high-efficiency boiler are now eligible to receive a rebate of more than $4,000. This is in addition to rebates and incentives for the purchase of other high-efficiency heating, water heating, custom processing and foodservice equipment. CenterPoint Energy also offers custom energy analysis and engineering assistance for energy efficiency projects and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for facilities that meet strict energy efficiency standards.

Since the Conservation Improvement Program was introduced in 1992, CenterPoint Energy has assisted customers in conservation efforts that saved approximately 10.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas, enough energy to supply 119,000 households for one year and adding up to $70 million in energy cost savings. These programs have also benefited the environment by reducing our 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, 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 nearly $20 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.