Compact fluorescent light bulbs at area stores for only 99 cents

DETROIT, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is making it easier - and more affordable - for its Detroit Edison customers to make their homes greener and more energy efficient with discounts of up to 50 percent on compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). The specially priced bulbs are available now through DTE Energy at several area retailers for as little as 99 cents apiece.

"Lighting can be as much as 20 percent of the average customer's electric bill. A great way to reduce that amount is to replace the incandescent light bulbs in your home with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent lights," said Steve Kurmas, Detroit Edison president and chief operating officer. "CFLs use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. That can translate into a savings of as much as $44 over the 10,000 hour lifetime of just one CFL."

The discounted CFLs are available at ACO, Costco, Home Depot, Meijer and Sam's Clubs throughout Detroit Edison's southeastern Michigan service territory. The specially priced CFLs also will be available at Kroger stores starting in October.

The CFL discounts are part of DTE Energy's Your Energy Savings initiative, designed to help its customers save money and help the environment by saving energy. As part of this effort, the company is introducing a number of other new energy efficiency programs this month including:

• Home Energy Audits. DTE Energy's MichCon natural gas customers can choose from three different onsite energy audits, starting as low as $25, to assess the energy efficiency of their homes and recommend steps for improvement. Customers who complete an audit can qualify for rebates of up to $1,500 for making those improvements. In addition, DTE Energy has a Web site tool, called MyEnergy Analyzer, which allows all customers to evaluate their homes online. Those who complete an online audit will receive a free energy efficiency kit valued at $25. MyEnergy Analyzer and additional information on home audits is available at YourEnergySavings.com.
  

• Energy Efficiency Assistance. DTE Energy is helping qualified low-income customers make energy efficiency improvements to their homes at no cost. The program includes: replacement of inefficient refrigerators, furnaces and water heaters with high efficiency models; installation of programmable thermostats and insulation; energy conservation and weatherization education and more. Qualified low-income customers can enroll in this program through their local Community Action Agency. A list of these organizations is available at YourEnergySavings.com, or by contacting the Michigan Community Action Agency Association at (517) 321-7500.
  

• Multifamily Dwelling Program. DTE Energy is offering property managers and owners of multifamily buildings with more than five units an array of incentives to make energy efficiency upgrades at a fraction of the cost. Details are available at YourEnergySavings.com.
  

Since June, DTE Energy has been offering its Detroit Edison customers $50 for their old, energy guzzling refrigerators and freezers and hauling them away for recycling for free. Pick-ups can be scheduled online at YourEnergySavings.com or by calling (866) 796-0512.

In addition, DTE Energy will start offering rebates and special pricing in September to customers who purchase Energy Star qualified programmable thermostats, clothes washers, and low flow shower heads.

Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to help consumers save money and protect the environment through the use of energy efficient products and practices.

SOURCE DTE Energy