Energy Efficiency
Perhaps it sounds odd for a company to help reduce demand for the product it produces and sells.
But we understand that energy efficiency is one of America’s greatest untapped sources of power.
That’s why we’re committed to helping our customers squeeze the most energy possible from every kilowatt of electricity or cubic foot of natural gas they buy from us.
Improving energy efficiency in homes and businesses is clean and relatively inexpensive. Using less electricity helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stabilize volatile energy prices and boost energy security. It also helps customers save money, a boost for the economy.
Sometimes referred to as America’s “fifth fuel,” energy efficiency has been a proven resource for decades in helping meet electric demand in a cost-effective way in many states across the nation.
Energy efficiencies represent significant environmental benefits. In fact, this effort redefines how we look at our corporate environmental responsibility. Maximizing efficiency from every kilowatt of electricity and each cubic foot of natural gas means getting more from less, while reducing our carbon footprint at the same time. Effectively, we’ve married environment with efficiency.
In October 2008, Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed legislation directing Michigan utilities to offer energy efficiency programs to their customers. Consumers Energy plans to launch comprehensive electric and gas energy efficiency programs in the summer of 2009.
Consumers Energy’s plans to help customers rethink and reduce their energy use include:
- Rebates for residential customers who buy products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and energy efficient furnaces, air conditioners and appliances, or who weatherize their homes by installing attic and wall insulation.
- Collaborations with local agencies to provide weatherization measures for low-income customers.
- Rebates for business customers who make energy efficient upgrades to their heating and coolingsystems, water heaters, lighting, and other applications such as motors and food service equipment .
- Custom rebates for our largest industrial customers to help pay for custom energy efficiency improvements in their factories.