To do so, FirstEnergy has introduced a variety of energy efficiency incentives for both residents and businesses that it estimates will save consumers up to $720 million and reduce demand by more than 1.3 million megawatts.
Cutting energy use decreases the pressure to build expensive new power plants, reduces pollution and saves consumers money on their bills, said Tim Suter, FirstEnergy manager of external affairs.
“This is healthy for Ohio and healthy for the end users,” he said. “Hopefully people will take advantage of it.”
The incentives range from an online home energy analyzer to a cash rebate of up to $50 for recycling older refrigerators.
Other incentives include compact fluorescent light bulbs on sale at certain stores for 50 cents, and cash rebates of $150 to $600 for HVAC system upgrades and up to $50 for new efficient appliances such as clothes washers.
Businesses and governments also can receive assistance, including for replacing older lighting and traffic signals.
For more details on the programs or to download the application forms, go to www.energysaveohio.com or call (800) 633-4766.
The value of the rebates will drop after Oct. 11, so Suter encouraged consumers to apply sooner rather than later.
The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel advocates on behalf of utility customers. It generally supports energy efficiency programs that save consumers money, spokesman Marty Berkowitz said. It also has information about energy efficiency on its website, www.pickocc.org .
But it expressed concern to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio about some of the expenses FirstEnergy included in the consumer fees, such as for marketing, saying the utility didn’t prove that the costs were reasonable or provided benefits to consumers.
The PUCO approved the fees in March and were developed with input from the consumers’ council and others, FirstEnergy spokesman Chris Eck said.
“They were very highly scrutinized,” Eck said.
About the Author