LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Southern California Gas Company (The Gas Company) has expanded its energy-efficiency programs for business customers by allowing more customers to qualify and by increasing the benefits on some programs, which offer as much as $300,000 in rebates and incentives per customer per year.
For the first time, The Gas Company's energy-efficiency programs are also open to its largest business customers consuming the greatest amount of natural gas.
"Through the Energy-Efficiency Grant Program, open to all business customers, we'll help fund energy projects that can save more than 250,000 therms per year, enough energy to serve about 500 homes," said Rick Morrow, vice president of customer service - major markets for The Gas Company.
Qualifying projects may earn up to $300,000 per customer per year.
Also this year, The Gas Company's Express Efficiency Program has expanded its rebate offerings for pipe and tank insulation, greenhouse curtains and infrared film. The program offers rebates for high-efficiency residential clothes washers used in business applications and for qualifying process boilers, steam trap replacements and commercial pool heaters.
In addition, restaurants and other food-service customers can save money through The Gas Company's Efficient Equipment Rebate Program, which offers attractive rebates for natural gas fryers, griddles, steamers, convection ovens and combination ovens.
Additionally, The Gas Company is providing energy-efficiency incentives for the building industry. For commercial builders and industrial processes, The Gas Company also continues to offer its Savings By Design Program, which provides energy-efficiency incentives of up to $50,000 per building for design teams and up to $150,000 per building for owners.
"We want our commercial customers to think of energy efficiency as a critical business issue, and to look to The Gas Company for valuable solutions," Morrow said. "Our rebates reduce the initial cost of energy-efficiency equipment, and customers save even more through reduced operating expenses. Energy efficiency also is good for our environment and conserves precious natural resources for the future."
The Gas Company's energy-efficiency programs in 2006-2008 have a goal of saving about 58 million therms, which is enough energy to serve about 107,000 homes for a year.
All incentives are subject to change without notice and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available.
For more information on these programs, log on to www.socalgas.com/business.
The Gas Company is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 19.5 million consumers through 5.5 million meters. The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles in most of central and Southern California. The Gas Company strives to provide exceptional customer service to enhance the quality of life in the community. The Gas Company is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company.