KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 21, 2006 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- They won't be sliding down any chimneys this holiday season, but Aquila (NYSE:ILA) employees have found a far more practical way to deliver gifts. In this case, gifts of goodwill, greater indoor comfort and energy savings to customers in need of a few helping hands.
More than 350 Aquila employees have been working alongside members of local civic organizations and charitable groups to weatherize the living spaces of Aquila customers unable to do so themselves. Together, Aquila employees and community groups have weatherized more than 100 homes across Aquila's five-state natural gas and electric service territories.
Local energy assistance agencies help Aquila find customers in need of home maintenance help due to income, age or health limitations. The teams caulk gaps, weather-strip doors, insulate electrical outlets and wall switches, apply a barrier of clear plastic film over drafty windows, and more.
Aquila also provides weatherization tips -- practical, economical ideas for everyone. For a few dollars and a couple of weekend hours, do-it-yourselfers can reap the rewards of weatherization with increased comfort and lower energy usage year-round.
The company offers rebates and other incentives in some states for choosing energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment or appliances. Federal tax deductions also are available to homeowners for installing energy-efficient doors, windows and solar energy systems. Aquila's solar energy rebate program offers thousands of dollars in rebates to qualifying Aquila Colorado electric customers.
"Fielding the Aquila Weatherization Team provided a rewarding opportunity to combine the message of energy efficiency with the desire to help neighbors in need. The homeowners feel the difference and reap the benefits. It's been a great experience for the people of Aquila," said Keith Stamm, Aquila's senior vice president and chief operating officer.
"The people of Aquila are friends and neighbors of the customers they serve, and many take an active interest in the community. They are members of local civic groups and organizations and support the local economy. We strive to provide reliable energy service every day, but the chance to help in such a personal way makes a lasting impression on all of us," Stamm said.
Implementing your own weatherization plan can be a rewarding and educational family project as well. And unlike a certain jolly old elf, you don't have to worry about getting stuck in a chimney to enjoy the results on your energy bill.
A few ways to weatherize:
-- Turn down the thermostat to 68 degrees during the day, 64 degrees
when you're sleeping or no one is home, as long as health allows.
Lowering the thermostat by 2 degrees can result in up to an 8
percent energy savings.
-- Set-it-and-forget-it: Installing a programmable thermostat is an
easy way to place your furnace on a given schedule.
-- Have your heating system serviced for proper, efficient operation.
Change furnace filters monthly.
-- Put plastic on windows if needed, and caulk and seal air leaks
around windows and doors.
-- Install foam gaskets behind outlet covers and switch-plates.
-- Lower the water heater thermostat.
-- Take showers, not baths. A five-minute shower uses half as much
hot water as a bath.
-- Wash full loads of laundry and use cold water whenever possible.
-- Open shades and blinds to allow sunlight in during the day, and
close them at night to help keep warm air in your home.
For more energy-saving tips, visit www.aquila.com and click on Energy-Saving Tips/Rebates.
Based in Kansas City, Mo., Aquila owns electric power generation and operates electric and natural gas transmission and distribution networks serving nearly 1 million customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. More information is available at www.aquila.com.
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