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Con Edison Co. of NY, Inc.: Be Cool Before Summer 2009: Use 'Smart' Thermostat to Save

^{Published on 2009-04-09 07:17:59, Last Modified on 2009-04-09 07:18:37 - Market Wire}
 

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - April 9, 2009) - For New Yorkers looking for a new way to stay cool and save energy this summer, Con Edison is giving away free, high-tech thermostats for use with central air-conditioning systems.

Residential and small-business customers with central air-conditioning are eligible to join more than 20,000 New Yorkers who are taking control of their summer electricity use by installing "smart" programmable thermostats. Customers stay comfortable and save energy by using air conditioning only when it is needed.

"This 'smart' thermostat is great for customers who want to use energy more efficiently and take steps to improve our environment," said Andre Wellington, manager, Energy Efficiency Programs at Con Edison.

With these programmable thermostats, customers in New York City and Westchester County can program their central air-conditioning systems manually, or remotely, through the Internet. Programmable thermostats allow customers to:

• adjust cooling temperatures based on personal preferences;
• automatically turn the central A/C system on and off; and
• use the Internet or manual-override options to change the thermostat settings.

Con Edison will cycle the air-conditioner compressor on and off for short periods of time, when necessary, to reduce the demand for energy. Customers may override Con Edison's adjustment at any time.

Eligible customers may obtain the programmable thermostat and free installation (a $300 value) by calling toll-free 1-866-521-8600, or requesting one online at [ www.conEd.com/cool ]. As an added bonus, after installation, the company will send a gift of $25 to residential or residential religious customers, and $50 to business customers.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: [ ED ]), one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $14 billion in annual revenues and $33 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas, and steam service to more than 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. For additional financial, operations, and customer service information, visit Con Edison's Web site at [ www.conEd.com ].