LOS ANGELES, CA — Southern California Gas Co. is promoting a broad range of energy-saving rebates and services designed to help residential and small-business customers increase their energy efficiency and better manage their natural gas costs. An additional $5.7 million was made available through recent legislation to boost availability of customer programs.

“While natural gas prices nationwide have dropped from the record levels of last winter, we know our customers are still concerned about managing their energy use,” said Anne Smith, vice president of customer services and marketing, Southern California Gas. “We have worked closely with our customers to develop and expand the ways we can help them reduce their energy costs.” Among the energy-efficient programs and services available to residential customers are:

Home Energy Fitness Survey and Interactive Home Tour. Customers can visit the company’s website and fill out an online Energy Fitness Survey that provides a free, comprehensive assessment of their home’s energy health and indicates places for improvement. Also, customers can take the free Interactive Home Tour and find out the latest information on rebate programs, appliances, and conservation tips.

Financial Rebates for Home Upgrades and Appliances. Residential customers may qualify for financial incentives, including rebates of $3 for a low-flow showerhead, $20 for a programmable thermostat, $0.15/ sq ft for attic or wall insulation, $75 for an efficient gas water heater, $1/sq ft for high-performance windows, and $300 for an Energy Star furnace, $75 for an Energy Star washer, and $50 for an Energy Star dishwasher.

Home Energy Upgrade Financing Program. This program offers single-family homeowners with unsecured, low-interest loans from $1,000 to $20,000 to install money-saving, energy-efficient home improvements, such as central air conditioning, window and door replacements, insulation, roofing, and plantation shutters.

Programs for Limited-Income Customers. The gas company offers financial and home improvement assistance programs, including no-cost weatherization and furnace repairs. Customers can call 800-331-7593 for more information.

Conservation Tips. Other easy ways residential customers can cut their energy bills include: setting the water-heater thermostat at a low to medium heat level; washing full laundry loads in cold water and line-drying when possible; closing window coverings on sunny days to keep cooler; and taking shorter showers at a lower temperature.

For small-business customers, Southern California Gas offers these incentives:

Express Efficiency Rebates. Financial incentives are available toward the purchase and installation of high-efficiency water heaters, space-heating boilers, and hot-water boilers.

Foodservice Equipment Upgrades. Foodservice operators may qualify for incentives of up to 20% of the cost of upgrading to high-efficient commercial cooking equipment.

For more information about the company’s energy-efficiency programs, visit Southern California Gas’ website at www.socalgas.com, or call 800-427-2200.

Publication date: 08/27/2001