Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

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Interactive tool helps consumers make homes more energy efficient

COLUMBUS, Ohio – January 18, 2007 – High energy costs can be the driving force behind consumers looking for ways to reduce their monthly electric and natural gas bills. With the winter heating season in full swing, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) has created an interactive tool called the Smart Energy House available on its website, www.pickocc.org. The house will help consumers better understand how the use of appliances and other items can impact their monthly electric and natural gas bills and identify tips on saving energy.

The goal of the OCC’s smart energy house is to provide consumers with the estimated costs for operating various appliances while also revealing the potential savings of owning energy efficient models. In addition, the OCC has provided many tips throughout the house that, if followed, will set consumers on their way to using less energy throughout the year.

To get started, consumers need to answer a few simple questions related to the size of their house, the part of Ohio they live and the names of the electric and natural gas companies that provide their service. The submitted answers will provide a cost analysis along with tips that could result in savings on utility bills and include:

How small adjustments to appliances can increase energy efficiency
How to better protect a house from the blistering cold of winter
How much energy-efficient appliances can save on energy bills
How to save energy when using items that still use power while in stand-by mode
What the projected annual operating costs are for common household appliances

This new tool is just one of the many resources the OCC offers consumers to help them lower their monthly utility bills. A complete section devoted to the smart use of energy, which includes the interactive smart energy house, is on the OCC’s website at www.pickocc.org/smartenergy.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues and resolves complaints from individuals. To receive utility information, brochures, schedule a presentation or file a utility complaint, residential consumers may call 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free in Ohio or visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.