PRESS RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 28, 2007 /Alliance to Save Energy/ -- As energy is on the front burner because of high prices and growing concern about the environment, the Alliance to Save Energy, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), and NBC Universal’s SCI FI Channel joined together to provide frustrated consumers an array of low-tech and high-tech money-saving tips to fit various pocketbooks and capabilities on SCI FI's website— www.scifi.com/homemakeover.

In keeping with SCI FI Channel's high tech image and its audience's keen interest in technology, the website tells the story behind some of the energy-efficiency technologies and products www.scifi.com/visions/contest/tech.html —including how they work, covering such things as smarter appliances and electronics, compact fluorescent bulbs, and even the "anatomy" of an efficient window.

Noting that everyone can have a "smarter" house, the website points out that "today's smart money-saving, pollution-reducing energy-efficiency technologies and products do the work for you —in unobtrusive, behind-the-scenes ways —while you enjoy lower home energy bills, are on the leading edge of technology, and doing the right thing for the planet and our nation's energy security."

Among the top 10 energy-saving tips on the website, there are also some basic low tech, no-cost/low-cost tips— like turn off everything not in use: lights, TVs, computers, all other electronics; activate “sleep” features on computers and office equipment that power down when the equipment is not in use for a while; and close blinds or shades on the south- and west-facing windows during summer days.

The website also offers Eureka energy facts — those surprising, “aha” moments, such as: Energy use of the average home creates almost twice as much greenhouse gas emissions as the average car.

The latter part of this week, August 31, also marks the deadline for entering the national contest for a home energy-efficiency makeover. As part of the Eureka $mart House Energy-Efficiency Challenge—www.scifi.com/homemakeover —one lucky homeowner will win a home energy-efficiency makeover that will make his/her home "smarter." The winner will be chosen in September and the makeover, which will be documented on the contest website with photos, will be conducted during October’s Energy Awareness Month.

Other partners in this national media partnership include the U.S. Department of Energy, the American Gas Association, the Consumer Electronics Association, Whirlpool Corporation, OSRAM Sylvania, The Dow Chemical Company, CMC Energy Services, and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute.

Based on an energy audit, the grand prize winner could receive the following energy-efficiency makeover improvements of up to $25,000 to create a “smarter” home:

Overall energy audit to identify energy problems and document what might be undertaken to make the home more energy-efficient by CMC Energy Services; Whirlpool ENERGY STAR-labeled kitchen and laundry appliances;
Computer and energy-efficient electronics and wiring of the home by Consumer Electronics Association and its member companies; Energy-efficient compact fluorescent lighting by OSRAM Sylvania; Sealing of all air leaks by The Dow Chemical Company; and Appropriate insulation for the winner’s particular climate, as well as a programmable thermostat, low-flow shower head, faucet aerators, ventilating fan, and much more. Contestants are asked to answer a few energy-oriented questions about their homes and write a brief essay about their deservedness for an energy-efficiency home makeover.

After submitting their entry, they are encouraged to go to the 6 Degrees of Energy Efficiency Challenge website www.sixdegreechallenge.org to “Test Their Energy IQ” and take the 6° Challenge by committing to at least one tangible energy-efficiency action and encouraging others to do the same. The 6 Degree Challenge interactive social website was developed last year by the Alliance and more than 30 other nonprofit and profit partners. The Alliance has made SCI FI Channel a partner in the 6 Degree Challenge.

For further information:
Ronnie Kweller: (office); (mobile)
Rozanne Weismann:

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The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy, and national security.