March 15, 2005 News Media Release

EPA recognizes Austin Energy for excellence in home improvement

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected Austin Energy as a 2005 Energy Star® award winner for outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting energy-efficient home improvements for existing homes. The award was presented in Washington, D.C., on March 15.

Winners of the EPA awards are selected from more than 7,000 organizations that participate in the Energy Star program.

Austin Energy's HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGY STAR program helps homeowners make energy-efficient upgrades that enhance home comfort while saving money on utility bills. Last year, 1,338 Austin homeowners made improvements through the Austin Energy Program, saving nearly 3.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity (enough to power more than 300 homes) and reduced peak demand during the hottest part of the summer by almost 3 megawatts. The program also reduced emissions to the environment of 168 tons of carbon dioxide, 305 kg of nitrogen oxides and 51 kg of sulfur dioxide.

Austin Energy's program focuses on key improvements that emphasize comfort, safety and energy savings. These improvements include installing additional insulation and radiant barriers, minimizing solar heat gain through windows, reducing air infiltration problems, improving duct system efficiency and replacing old, inefficient air conditioners with energy-efficient models. Austin Energy offers through an outside lender loans for as low as 0% interest and rebates of up to $1,400 to help residents make these improvements.

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For more information, contact Ed Clark, Public Information.
Phone: (512) 322-6514
Pager: (512) 802-2000