NEWS RELEASE

January 26, 2009

UNION GAS PARTNERS WITH SEARS CANADA TO OFFER FREE ENERGY SAVING CLINICS IN BURLINGTON

Drop-in Clinics give consumers the power to manage energy use and save up to $200.

BURLINGTON, Ontario – This weekend, Union Gas is hosting two free drop-in Energy Saving Clinics at Sears Canada located in the Mapleview Centre on Friday January 30, between 4 and 8 p.m. and Saturday January 31, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

At each clinic, energy specialists will share easy energy conservation solutions to help consumers reduce heating costs, including insulation and weather stripping tips, caulking advice and more. 

Participants can receive a free Energy Saving Kit (ESK) with a $35 value, which contains a $15 rebate coupon for a programmable thermostat.  Each ESK contains a number of do-it-yourself items customers can easily install in their homes.  Combined, these items can reduce household energy costs up to $200 a year -- ongoing savings that can be used for other household needs.

And to help families stay safe this winter, Union Gas is also offering a $15 rebate coupon, while quantities last, to purchase a carbon monoxide detector.

Participants will receive a Wise Energy Guide which contains 40 pages of practical steps to improve a home’s energy efficiency and a checklist that can get consumers started on a Home Energy Reducing Plan.

“Taking steps now to improve the energy efficiency of your home is the best way to reduce your energy costs this winter,” said Mel Ydreos, vice-president of marketing and customer care, Union Gas.  “And energy conservation is an investment that keeps on giving because the savings and environmental benefits continue year-after-year.”

For more information on the Union Gas Energy Saving Clinics and locations, visit:

uniongas.com/energyefficiency/

Union Gas offers these tips to save energy:

• Reduce the temperature in your home by 1° C over a seven-hour period each day and you can save one per cent on your heating bill. A programmable thermostat helps.
• Add caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors and save up to 15 per cent on your heating bill.
• For additional energy saving information, programs, rebates and to download a free copy of the Wise Energy Guide visit uniongas.com/energyefficiency. 

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 uniongas.com for more information.

CONTACT: Andrea Stass
Phone: (519) 436-5490