NEWS RELEASE
October 16, 2008
FREE ENERGY SAVING KITS AVAILABLE THIS WEEKEND
Union Gas Limited has partnered with The Home Depot Canada to provide free Energy Saving Kits to Union Gas customers
October 16, 2008 – Union Gas, in partnership with The Home Depot, is giving away thousands of Energy Saving Kits (ESKs) to help its customers conserve energy and save on their energy bills.
Union Gas customers can pick up a free ESK kit at any of The Home Depot store locations in Guelph, Milton, London, Sudbury, Timmins and Waterloo between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday October 18 and Sunday October 19.
Each ESK contains: one energy efficient massage showerhead, one energy efficient kitchen swivel aerator, one energy efficient bathroom aerator and two metres of foam pipe insulation– a $35 value. Installed, these products can deliver up to $100 in energy savings every year.
Water heating is the second largest user of energy in the home. On average, 15 to 20 per cent of a home’s yearly energy bill goes to heating water for showers and washing dishes, clothes and hands.
"These kits contain a number of do-it-yourself items you can easily install in your home to reduce your energy use," said Mel Ydreos, vice-president of marketing and customer care, Union Gas. "This can result in a big payback both financially, and for the environment."
By minimizing the energy used to heat water, customers are also helping the environment by reducing air emissions. One fully mature tree can remove up to 22kg of carbon dioxide a year. The contents in the ESK can reduce the carbon dioxide equivalent to that of 10 trees in a single year.
"People are searching for ways to save energy, and the Home Depot is committed to helping our customers conserve through a variety of products," says Gino Digioacchino, Vice President of Merchandising, The Home Depot Canada.
Union Gas and The Home Depot offer these tips to save energy:
- Install an energy efficient shower head (like the one included in the free kit, it has the same pressure but with less water flow), and save approximately 17,800 litres of water and 72 cubic metres of natural gas a year
- Install energy efficient tap aerators (included in the free kit) and save up to 9,800 litres of water and 28 cubic metres of natural gas a year
- Wrap all hot water pipes with foam pipe insulation (included in the free kit), and save 17 cubic metres of natural gas a year
- Install a programmable thermostat ( $15 rebate available to Union Gas Customers visit www.uniongas.com or your local Home Depot Store for more information)
For more on Union Gas' Energy Saving Kits and participating Home Depot locations, visit www.uniongas.com/esk.
About Union Gas
Union Gas is
an integrated natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company
serving about 1.3 million residential, commercial and industrial
customers in more than 400 communities in northern, southwestern and
eastern Ontario. The company also provides storage and transportation
services to other utilities and energy market participants in Ontario,
Quebec and the United States. Union Gas is a Spectra Energy company.
Visit www.uniongas.com for more information.
About The Home Depot Canada
Founded in 1978, in Atlanta, Georgia, The Home Depot is the world's largest home
improvement retailer currently operating 2,234 stores, including 166 The
Home Depot stores across Canada. The company reported fiscal 2006 sales
of US$90.8 billion and employs approximately 300,000 associates,
including more than 27,000 Canadians.
Environmental sustainability is a priority at The Home Depot Canada, and through an active merchandising and marketing strategy, The Home Depot customers are making better choices for their homes and the environment. The Home Depot provides hundreds of products that are the best in class in water and energy efficiency, clean air and sustainable forestry promotion. The company also provides customers the opportunity to participate in programs that affect their environment, such as the Union Gas Energy Savings Kit giveaway event.
CONTACTS:
Union Gas Limited
Andrea Stass
Manager, Public Affairs and Media Relations Union Gas Limited
Ph: 519 436-5490
Cell: 519 365-1010
Fax: 519 436-4621
E-mail: astass@uniongas.comThe Home Depot
Media Line: 416-386-5847
Publicrelations_canada@homedepot.com