--Company shares simple ways consumers can save--

Company Website: http://www.reliant.com
HOUSTON -- (Business Wire)

With last year’s record breaking summer heat and calls for energy conservation fresh on Texans’ minds, reducing household electricity use while staying cool and minding the family budget will be a key concern for residents this summer. As part of its ongoing focus on customer service, Reliant is offering simple, low-cost/no-cost energy efficiency tips to help Texans conserve their hard earned green and be green as this summer approaches.

“Summer is just around the corner and spring is already bringing warmer than usual temperatures. Hotter temperatures mean demanding more from our air conditioners,” said Reliant Vice President of Customer Care, Bill Clayton. “With cooling costs averaging up to 60% of yearly electricity costs, we want to equip consumers with information about the most effective and cost-efficient ways to save on their electricity bills and conserve energy.”

The following are simple, low-cost energy efficiency tips to prepare for the summer. In addition, any consumer, whether they are a Reliant customer or not, can get answers to their energy savings questions from energyexperts@reliant.com.

Less is More: Energy Efficiency Tips to Help You be Green, Save Green

• Doctor Your AC. A poorly maintained air conditioning system may increase your cooling costs by up to 50%. Service your air conditioning system—even if it’s new—prior to the start of summer season to ensure the unit is performing at maximum efficiency. This can prevent more costly repairs down the road. Reliant has multiple solutions to help you prepare for the Texas summer heat, like multi-point A/C tune-ups on up to two systems in your home. Visit reliant.com/rhs to learn more about Reliant Home Solutions℠.
• Keep it Clean. Using an air filter too long can increase the operating cost of an air conditioning unit up to 10%. Filters are an integral part of the HVAC system and to maintain optimum performance, they must be clean. Make sure to check air filters monthly and replace when dirty. Reliant Filters Made Easy^® is a service that delivers quality air filters right to your door quickly and efficiently, helping improve air quality and reduce cooling and heating costs. Visit reliant.com/filters to learn more about Reliant Filters Made Easy ^®.
• Seal It. Use caulk or weather stripping to reduce air leaks around doors or windows.
• Make the Switch. Switch to compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs throughout your home to reduce electricity use.
• Program and Set. Install and take time to program a programmable thermostat to help lower cooling bills by about 10%. Reliant recommends if you’re going to be away from home for four hours or more, raise your thermostat setting by four degrees.

Contact service@reliant.com or call 1-866-RELIANT if you have questions, need information, want to compare prices and/or learn more about Reliant e-Sense^® smart energy solutions that provide better insight, choice and convenience.

About Reliant

Reliant provides electricity, energy services and smart energy solutions to more than 1.5 million retail customers including homes, businesses, manufacturing facilities, government entities and institutions in Texas, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As part of NRG (NYSE:NRG), Reliant is backed by a Fortune 500 company that is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. NRG is a pioneer in developing cleaner and smarter energy choices for its customers and its diverse power generating facilities can support over 20 million homes nationwide. For more information about Reliant products and services, visit www.reliant.com.

Connect with reliant at facebook.com/reliantenergy and on Twitter @reliantenergy.

Contacts:

Reliant
Pat Hammond, 713.537.2157

Source: Reliant