STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 31, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The temperatures are brutal, the cost of natural gas is on the rise and household budgets are tight. So why are so many homeowners essentially throwing money away each and every month on their home utility bills?
The vast majority of American homes are not energy efficient. A Home Energy Audit can save the average homeowner several hundred dollars annually on their home utility bills. Setting up the audit is as simple as a phone call and government rebates can cover most of the cost. Yet many Americans do not take advantage of these programs or services. The question is "Why?"
There are a few basic reasons people do not perform home energy assessments according to Mxenergy, one of the nation's leading independent energy providers.
«After speaking with home energy auditors we have learned there are several common reasons why more people don't complete a home energy audit,» says Marjorie Kass, MXenergy Managing Director.
According to Kass, reasons given for not completing an audit include:
- Lack of Knowledge About the Program
- Time: Fear it will take too long – The typical assessment can be completed in just a few hours
- Fear of Cost – Government rebates can cover the majority of the cost
- Not Understanding the Benefits – An energy efficient home can save hundreds of dollars annually and provides important environmental benefits as well
"It is unfortunate that more people do not recognize the benefits and take advantage of this important service," says Kass. "For most Americans money is tight right now and heating a home that is not energy efficient is the equivalent of taking your hard earned dollars and tossing them in the fireplace. Something as simple as a Home Energy Audit can literally save people hundreds of dollars each year and benefit our planet at the same time."
In order to educate people about the importance of energy efficiency and other environmental issues, MXenergy has created its own On Demand cable channel, MXenergyTV, or MXTV for short, which can be found on Cablevision iO Channel 654 in the Northeast United States. The piece "Home Energy Check-up" is just one of many programs focused on energy efficiency and "green living."
More information about home energy assessments can be found at the United States Department of Energy website (http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/). And an in-depth look at home energy audits can also be found on the MXTV archive at http://mxenergy.com/mxenergytv-video-archive.html.
About MXenergy
MXenergy is one of the fastest growing retail natural gas and electricity suppliers in North America, serving approximately 500,000 customers in 41 utility territories in the United States and Canada. For over 11 years, the company has provided millions of customers with a choice in how they purchase energy to run their homes and businesses. Founded in 1999 to provide natural gas and electricity to consumers in deregulated energy markets, MXenergy helps residential customers and small business owners control their energy bills by providing both fixed and variable rate plans. MXenergy is committed to best practices in environmental conservation, supporting local communities through various outreach programs and is a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange.