Progress Energy launches customer home efficiency programs

RALEIGH (July 8, 2009) -- Progress Energy has launched two new programs that offer customers information and incentives to encourage energy-efficiency improvements in existing homes. The Home Energy Improvement Program and Customized Home Energy Report provide customers tools -- including rebates and action plans -- to help them lower energy usage and save money.

Home Energy Improvement Program -- This program offers rebates for home improvements such as heating and cooling upgrades, duct testing and repair, energy-efficient window installation, attic insulation and air sealing. Customers can select from a list of prequalified contractors to perform the work.

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"The Home Energy Improvement Program is a key part of our effort to design programs and incentives to fit a variety of customer lifestyles and needs," said Lloyd Yates, president and CEO of Progress Energy Carolinas. "We encourage our customers to use energy wisely every day, and this program can help customers save energy and money."

The Home Energy Improvement Program is available to North Carolina customers in single-family, multi-family, and manufactured homes. South Carolina customers can participate in the program beginning July 13.

Incentives are offered for a variety of improvements and budgets. For example, homeowners can add high-efficiency windows to their home and receive as much as $450 ($30 per window) in rebates. Progress Energy offers rebates up to $300 for heating and cooling upgrades, $375 for attic insulation, and up to $180 for duct testing and repair. Rebates can also be combined with available state and federal tax credits.

Customers can learn more about the Home Energy Improvement Program, including information on available rebates, at www.progress-energy.com/heip or by calling 866-990-HEIP (4347).

Customized Home Energy Report -- This free online resource helps customers take control of their energy use and identify ways to save. The Customized Home Energy Report provides customers with a comprehensive, personalized evaluation of their household energy usage and compares that usage with similar homes in the area.

The tool provides energy-saving tips that are tailored to the customer's unique usage profile. Customers will also be linked to information on rebates available for energy-efficiency upgrades specific to their residence through the Home Energy Improvement Program.

The Customized Home Energy Report is available to Progress Energy customers at www.progressCHER.com.

Progress Energy also provides efficiency information and tips through the Save The Watts campaign. Save The Watts is an educational initiative that features a highly interactive Web site (www.savethewatts.com) with energy-efficiency program details and more than 100 useful tips for customers to save energy and money.

Progress Energy has made a commitment to double customer energy efficiency to 2,000 megawatts (MW) through demand-side management and energy-efficiency programs. Increasing the amount of efficiency from customers helps to delay the need for new power plants. Energy efficiency, along with renewable energy and state-of-the art power plants, are key components of Progress Energy's balanced approach to meeting the future energy needs of its customers.

Source: Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN)