BPU Offers Free Programmable Thermostat to Utility Customers 2 DEGREES 2 SAVE™ reduces heating/cooling costs up to 15%, helps environment

KANSAS CITY, Ks.(January 9, 2011) The Kansas City Kansas Board of Public Utilities (BPU) recently launched the 2 DEGREES 2 SAVE program, a new initiative that is intended to reduce energy usage, lower customers’ heating and cooling costs, and protect the environment.

Participants that sign up for this BPU program will receive a free Honeywell programmable thermostat professionally installed (a $300.00 value). The initiative utilizes a programmable thermostat which allows BPU to raise participants’ temperature setting by 2 degrees during peak energy use hours. By doing this, air conditioners work less, and cycle more frequently which when combined with the air conditioners of all participants means that fewer are running at the same time and BPU’s peak load is reduced.

BPU will only adjust the temperature of a participant’s home by 2 degrees from where they actually set it. Adjustments, if they occur, will only happen on weekdays from June through September, and will occur only when necessary (generally just a few times each summer). Events are never scheduled on weekends or holidays, making adjustments even less noticeable.

Because the new thermostat is both programmable and more accurate than conventional thermostats, participants could save up to 15% on their annual heating and cooling costs. Participants will even be able to set their thermostat from any computer connected to the Internet.

To be eligible for the 2 DEGREES 2 SAVE program, customers must have a central air conditioning or heat pump system in good working condition, have space where their current thermostat is to mount a new 6-inch x 7-inch thermostat, and be a homeowner or have the property owner’s written permission to participate in the program.

To enroll or get more information about the 2 DEGREES 2 SAVE program, call 1-888-267-6609 or e-mail BPU at 2degrees2save@bpu.com.