Gulf Power receives EPA award

Gulf Power has won the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2009 ENERGY STAR® Leadership in Housing Award for the utility’s promotion of energy efficiency programs.

Gulf Power helps homebuilders include energy efficiency measures and equipment into new and existing homes through its EarthCents Home and ENERGY STAR programs so homeowners can save money and help protect the environment.

To be certified as ENERGY STAR, a home must meet certain strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the EPA. These homes are typically 15 percent more efficient than homes built to local building codes.

For customers interested in even more efficiency, the company’s new EarthCents Home exceeds ENERGY STAR standards and is 20 percent more efficient than the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code.

“We’re proud of this recognition by the US Environmental Protection Agency,” said Sandy Sims, Gulf Power Public Affairs manager. “The ENERGY STAR Home and the EarthCents Home programs encourage our customers to design energy efficiency into their new homes. All of our EarthCents programs work with the customer to save them money and reduce their impact on the environment. It’s a win-win opportunity.

“This menu of energy efficiency programs has something for everyone to help them save money and energy,” Sims said. “And the great byproduct of EarthCents is a significant reduction in CO2.”

EarthCents Home Facts

· The EarthCents designation ensures that a home exceeds the standards of Energy Star and is a least 20 percent more efficient than the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

· For as little as $1,700 added cost to new construction, a home can be designated a super energy-efficient EarthCents Home.

· Customers can see a reduction of up to 25 percent annually in their energy bill.

· An EarthCents Home can reduce carbon dioxide by 5,776 lbs. per year.

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. The company is a tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Gulf Power serves more than 400,000 customers in 10 counties throughout Northwest Florida. Our mission is to safely deliver affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible energy to very satisfied customers in strong communities.

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).