Union Gas marks Environment Week with energy-efficiency incentives

Businesses can reduce energy use, curb emissions and save millions in energy costs

CHATHAM, ON, May 31 /CNW/ - Union Gas today is introducing two new energy-efficiency incentives for business customers to mark Canadian Environment Week, May 31 to June 5. Through the company's EnerSmart program, Union Gas business customers can access a wide variety of incentives to implement projects that will use natural gas more efficiently - reducing emissions and operating costs.

"Union Gas has been a pioneer in designing and delivering energy-efficiency programs for customers for over a decade," said Mel Ydreos, vice-president of Union Gas. "These investments in energy-efficient equipment and technologies not only help customers boost their bottom line, they also help the environment."

The new financial incentive offerings for businesses include:

    
    -   $400 incentive on the installation of a condensing gas water heater:
        Save energy with up to 95 per cent thermal efficiency. Based on a
        1000 gal per day tank.

    -   $100 incentive to install a high-efficiency qualified commercial
        front-load clothes washer: Reduce water use and save on energy costs.
    

Businesses also have access to a broad range of additional EnerSmart program offerings such as:

    
    -   Free programmable thermostats
    -   Free pre-rinse spray nozzles for restaurants and other commercial
        kitchens
    -   Free showerheads and aerators for all units in multi-family
        commercial buildings
    -   Up to $3000 incentive for the installation of an energy-efficient
        condensing boiler
    -   Up to $1000 incentive for the installation of an energy recovery
        ventilator
    

Last year alone, the Union Gas EnerSmart program helped business customers save almost $7 million in energy costs. And overall, the company's energy-efficiency programs helped customers avoid 185,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and reduce their consumption of natural gas by over 98 million cubic metres -- the equivalent of taking more than 33,000 cars off the road. For more ways to save through the Union Gas EnerSmart program visit uniongas.com/esp.

About Union Gas

Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with nearly 100 years of experience and service to customers. The distribution business serves 1.3 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario. Union Gas's growing storage and transmission business offers premium storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. It offers customers an important link in the movement of natural gas from Western Canadian and U.S. supply basins to markets in central Canada and the northeast U.S. A Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company, Union Gas has assets of $5 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. Visit uniongas.com for more information.

For further information: Andrea Stass, Manager, Public Affairs and Media Relations Union Gas Limited, Ph: 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5490, Cell: [phone], [email protected]