Homeowners Get a Bailout From High Utility Bills

KLAMATH FALLS, OR--(Marketwire - August 7, 2009) - As banks, the auto industry and insurance companies received bailouts this year, many consumers demanded to know, "Where's mine?" Now JELD-WEN is planning to award a special bailout opportunity to the homeowner most troubled by high energy costs.

In an effort to help provide some relief to homeowners and prove the powerful difference that improving energy efficiency can make, JELD-WEN is kicking off a search to find the worst monthly utility bill in the nation. The homeowner who has the highest bill has an opportunity to receive a complete window and door makeover by JELD-WEN, with the latest energy efficient technology designed to provide long-term fiscal relief. The winning home will also be featured on the Emmy-nominated television show, "Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford®."

To enter, homeowners can submit their entry online at www.jeld-wen.com/bailout for a chance to win new JELD-WEN energy efficient windows and doors. The JELD-WEN Utility Bill Bailout contest runs from August 6, 2009 through January 29, 2010. Any 2009-2010 utility bill is eligible; one entry per household. Homeowners will be asked to submit their highest monthly utility bill, a digital photo of their home and a brief story explaining why their home is deserving of an energy efficiency makeover. Complete contest rules are available at www.jeld-wen.com/bailout.

Nationwide savings

Energy efficiency is now a year-round concern for people in hot, as well as cold climates. In fact, according to the Energy Information Administration, states in hot climate zones will receive 31 percent of the $5 billion in stimulus money to weatherize homes this year -- nearly double the percentage of funding that's been allocated to Sun Belt states in years past.

Whereas energy efficiency is no longer a regional consideration, homeowners everywhere are looking for ways to improve home energy efficiency and save money on utility bills.

Saving energy, gaining comfort

Protecting against cold weather was definitely the concern of last year's JELD-WEN utility bill contest winner. When the Quimby family of Maine entered JELD-WEN's previous contest, they were paying upwards of $1,000 per bill to fill the heating oil tank for their 119-year-old farmhouse. After installing JELD-WEN energy efficient windows and doors, the family has cut their heating oil consumption nearly in half.

The Quimbys installed 35 new ENERGY STAR qualified JELD-WEN Vinyl windows and two JELD-WEN AuraLast Wood door systems. In addition to the energy savings, the Quimbys have noticed a major difference in their home's comfort level.

The Quimbys are not alone in their energy savings. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical homeowner installing ENERGY STAR qualified windows can expect to realize savings ranging from $125 to $450 a year, depending on the region.

With the new federal tax credit, homeowners have even more incentive to replace older, inefficient products with high-performing models. Federal tax credits for qualified energy efficiency improvements related to items including windows and doors are available for up to $1,500. JELD-WEN offers a wide variety of energy efficient products. To determine the specific requirements and which JELD-WEN products qualify for the tax credits, visit www.jeld-wen.com/taxcredit.

To learn more about how homeowners can save energy or enter to win the JELD-WEN Utility Bill Bailout contest, visit www.jeld-wen.com/bailout.

Quotes:

"High utility bills are like throwing money right out the window. Wasting energy has a huge impact on costs, comfort and the environment. No matter where you live, your home doesn't have to be an energy hog and we're out to prove it by demonstrating that energy efficient windows and doors can help lower utility bills."

--Brian Hedlund, JELD-WEN product manager.

"In these economic times, managing energy costs is a very important concern for homeowners for both budgetary and environmental reasons. One of the best long-term investments you can make in your home is to improve its outer envelope, which includes windows and doors. Not only will you reduce your energy bills, you'll add value to your home should you decide to sell it."

--Danny Lipford, host of Today's Homeowner and an expert on energy efficiency

Company Info:

JELD-WEN, the world's leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors, has long been a leader in producing energy efficient products, and an ENERGY STAR partner since 1998. Additional information can be found at www.jeld-wen.com.

The Emmy-nominated and nationally-syndicated TV show "Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford®" kicks off its 12th season on over 220 stations nationwide in September. Host Danny Lipford also regularly appears as a home expert for The Weather Channel, hosts his own weekly radio show Homefront, and is a contributing editor to Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

Links:

Submit your entry for the JELD-WEN Utility Bill Bailout at: www.jeld-wen.com/bailout

Follow JELD-WEN on Twitter and Facebook

Contact Information: Contact Info: CMD PR on behalf of JELD-WEN 503-274-7006