Prepare Now Before Winter Drives Up Energy Costs

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 9

With Autumn officially underway, colder weather won't be too far away. So now is the time to prepare your home for the winter season and to take advantage of budget billing, assistance programs and energy saving tips offered by PECO.

Before the heating season begins, PECO recommends that homeowners add the following items to their "energy savings" shopping list:

- A new heater filter to ensure operational efficiency; - Hot water heater insulating wrap and insulating tape for hot water pipes in exposed areas so heat is not lost as the hot water moves throughout the home; - Water saving shower heads so less hot water is used; - Install a programmable thermostat to better regulate heating temperature and energy use; - Door jams to stop cold drafts; - Weather stripping and caulk for leaky doors, windows and openings; and - Plastic sheeting for windows if the home does not have storm windows or double pane windows.

While each of these items is relatively inexpensive, the potential savings from the use of these products could be as much as $300 to $400 a year.

"We realize that bills for the months with peak usage can be troublesome for some, and we want to be as helpful as we can," said PECO President Denis O'Brien. "It really can make a difference come wintertime if some extra preparations are taken around the home."

PECO suggests the following energy efficiency tips to reduce energy use: 1. Have your furnace professionally inspected every two years. A well-maintained appliance will last longer, operate better and save you money. 2. Replace the filter for your heat pump or furnace for the new heating season. Dirty filters block airflow and force equipment to work harder -- this increases operating costs and can cause damage. 3. Inspect the insulation between heated and unheated areas to ensure insulation is at least six inches thick. Insulation is the single most important energy conservation measure. It will deteriorate over time and occasionally needs to be reinforced. 4. If your water heater is 'warm to the touch', it does not have built in insulation and should be wrapped with an insulation blanket. These blankets are inexpensive and easy to install. 5. Inspect the caulking or weather stripping around windows, doors and any openings to the outside such as dryer vents or exterior outlets. A drafty house lets warm air escape and is much more costly to keep warm - especially on the coldest days of the season. 6. Remove window air conditioners if possible, or install an air conditioner cover to stop drafts. 7. Identify the air ducts in each room and keep them clean with a vacuum or broom. Do not cover ducts with drapes or furniture that can block the airflow and possibly cause a fire. Dirty or blocked vents can cause your furnace to work harder pushing up your energy costs. 8. Reverse the rotation of ceiling fan blades. During the winter months, blades should spin so the warm air that has risen can be re- distributed around the room.

Other programs that are available for all consumers to save on future energy costs include:

- Keystone HELP is a state-sponsored special financing plan for energy saving home improvements that offers a 7.99 percent fixed rate for ENERGYSTAR (R) and other qualifying cooling systems, replacement windows and doors, new insulation, geothermal and solar systems. For more information, visit http://www.energyloan.net/ or call 888-232-3477. - The IRS has information about a 10 percent federal tax credit of up to $500 available for qualified energy efficiency improvements, including insulation systems, exterior windows and doors and metal roofs. For more information, visit http://www.irs.gov/ and keyword search Energy Policy Act of 2005. The tax credit can be taken for the 2006 or 2007 tax years. - The Electrical Association of Pennsylvania also is offering an instant rebate of $300 to $800 on the purchase of a new central air conditioner and heat pump system. An EAP member contractor must handle installation with contracts signed by November 17 and installation by December 8, 2006. Today's new HVAC systems are quieter, more energy efficient with lower operating costs, and longer lasting than similar models from just 10 years ago. See http://www.eap.org/ or call 1-800-845-5845.

All PECO customers who are in good financial standing, should consider taking advantage of PECO's budget billing program, which makes short-term fluctuation in monthly bills much easier to handle by dividing annual energy costs evenly. Visit http://www.peco.com/ehome for information on budget billing.

The company also offers a number of programs for low and fixed income customers including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides grants to help meet monthly heating costs. The program's eligibility is based on family size and income, and the application season begins on November 6, 2006. For more information and eligibility requirements call 1-800-774-7040. Other assistance programs include:

- The Customer Assistance Program (CAP): A discounted rate for low- and fixed-income customers. - The Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF): A program funded by voluntary contributions of caring citizens and matched by PECO for up to $500 in total assistance for those who qualify. - Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) provides conservation and weatherization assistance for qualified households year round. For more information and eligibility requirements, call 1-800-675-0222.

Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation . PECO serves 1.6 million electric and 470,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2005, the company delivered 38.7 million megawatt-hours (Mwh) of electricity and 85.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas to residential, business and institutional customers. PECO's energy delivery services generated $4.91 billion in revenue for Exelon. Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater Philadelphia Region's most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs and organizations.

source : PECO