ATLANTA, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric utilities across the country are
invited to help bring consumers out of the dark about the importance of energy
efficiency. Power companies can now provide easy access to information about
their energy efficiency programs at no charge on www.ziptogreen.com, a new
one-stop online resource for energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions.
ZiptoGreen's user-friendly format can link consumers by ZIP Code to energy
efficiency and renewable energy programs offered by their electric utility. A
survey conducted by ZiptoGreen found that more than 75 percent of consumers do
not connect to their utility for help in reducing energy consumption.
Beginning with the end of daylight savings time until the clocks move forward
again, power companies can collaborate with ZiptoGreen to illuminate the
importance of energy efficiency by providing links to their energy efficiency
programs and incentives at no charge. When daylight savings time arrives in
March, ZiptoGreen hopes consumers are "enlightened" about the importance of
partnering with their utility to meet their energy reduction goals. Utilities
that collaborate with ZiptoGreen during this period can become Charter Members
and substantially reduce their participation fees thereafter.
"Many consumers are too busy and overwhelmed to spend time looking for
programs offered by their utility company," says Julia Glenn Carter, founder
and CEO of ZiptoGreen. "A comprehensive website was needed that gives
residential consumers easy access to the wealth of energy efficiency solutions
available right now, including those offered by utilities. Such a website is
essential if we are going to tackle our energy challenges any time soon.
Consumers need and want help reducing their monthly costs."
According to a report released in October by the Energy Information
Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy, a weak economy has
contributed to lower energy consumption in both the commercial and residential
sectors. Experts expect consumption to increase as the economy rebounds,
however. According to a U.S. Department of Commerce report released last week,
modest but consistent growth from July to September suggests economic recovery
has begun. While natural gas prices have fallen with the economy, coal prices
for electricity generation are expected to increase by 7 percent, according to
the EIA report.
ZiptoGreen helps consumers become energy efficient by making it easy for them
to create and implement a customized action plan. Users of the website can see
in real-time the impact actions have on estimated energy usage. When a user
clicks on an incentive icon associated with a specific action, ZiptoGreen
calls up a window with incentive information. Currently, federal tax incentive
information is featured; however, participating utilities and state
governments can provide incentive information on their programs by ZIP Code.
ZiptoGreen also provides ongoing support to help consumers achieve energy
reduction goals. Users can schedule and receive email reminders of their
actions. In addition, they are given a personal page to monitor and update
their reduction plan, and product discount "rewards" to motivate action.
"Most people need a little hand holding to change a habit. How we consume
energy is definitely a habit," says Carter.
From the personal page, ZiptoGreen supports users by providing links to local
resources serving their ZIP Code, including the energy efficiency and
renewable energy programs of participating utilities. The sustainability
programs of cities that have signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate
Protection Program are also featured. Any community, however, can provide
these links to their residents at no charge. Interested local governments
should email ZiptoGreen at communities@ziptogreen.com.
User access to all resources on www.ziptogreen.com is free of charge.
ZiptoGreen was a featured link on the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable
Energy of the U.S. Department of Energy during its launch in Washington, D.C.
The website is owned by LaCour Incorporated, a privately-held corporation
based in Atlanta, Georgia. For additional information visit
www.ziptogreen.com.
SOURCE ZiptoGreen
Jocelyn Davis, LaCour Incorporated, +1-404-633-3001, info@ziptogreen.com; Beth
Hawks, CoreComm PR, +1-404-814-1015, bethhawks@corecommpr.com
