TXU Energy and The Senior Source Challenge Texans to Conserve Energy for Their New Year's Resolutions

Senior Volunteers Demonstrate Ease and Convenience of Energy Efficiency

1/23/2007

Getting in shape and losing a few pounds is always the most popular New Year's resolution, but why stop at your waistline? TXU Energy and The Senior Source, Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas are teaming up to educate Texans on ways to get their homes in shape for the cold winter months. This New Year's resolution is a one-of-a-kind Home Energy Diet for your residence.

"TXU Energy and The Senior Source volunteers demonstrate the simplicity of making a home more energy efficient," said Molly H. Bogen, Executive Director, The Senior Source. "Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable during this time of the year, and they need the comfort of knowing how to stay warm while minimizing their energy costs."

While it may be difficult to shed holiday weight, shedding unnecessary energy costs can be easy. The Home Energy Diet combines TXU Energy's winter saving tips with TXU Energy's Home Energy Advisor.

"As a leader in energy efficiency, TXU Energy believes that sharing our expertise with our valued customers allows us to contribute to our communities" said Jim Burke, CEO of TXU Energy.

The Home Energy Diet is a continuation of TXU Energy's Home Energy Makeover program, which builds energy efficiency awareness and helps homeowners in need of energy assistance. Volunteers take an active role by teaching others how to implement cost-saving home improvements. The general public can find suggestions for their own home through TXU Energy's Home Energy Advisor. The free website allows customers to enter basic information about their home and immediately receive customized energy- saving ideas and the resulting estimated savings. TXU Energy's Home Energy Advisor can be found online at http://www.txuenergyadvisor.com.

TXU Corp., a Dallas-based energy company, manages a portfolio of competitive and regulated energy businesses primarily in Texas. In the competitive TXU Energy Holdings segment (electricity generation, wholesale marketing and retailing), TXU Energy provides electricity and related services to more than 2.2 million competitive electricity customers in Texas, more customers than any other retail electric provider in the state.  TXU Power has over 18,300 MW of generation in Texas, including 2,300 MW of nuclear and 5,800 MW of coal-fired generation capacity. TXU Wholesale optimizes the purchases and sales of energy for TXU Energy and TXU Power and provides related services to other market participants. TXU Wholesale and its affiliate, TXU Renew, are the largest purchasers of wind-generated electricity in Texas and fifth largest in the United States. In addition, TXU Power Development Company and its affiliates are involved in a power generation development program in Texas and are evaluating opportunities for additional development outside of Texas. TXU Corp.'s regulated segment, TXU Electric Delivery, is an electric distribution and transmission business that complements the competitive operations, using superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. TXU Electric Delivery operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas, providing power to three million electric delivery points over more than 100,000 miles of distribution and 14,000 miles of transmission lines. Visit http://www.txucorp.com/ for more information about TXU Corp.

2007 Winter Energy-Saving Tips from TXU Energy

TXU Energy offers the following no-cost and low-cost energy conservation tips for residential customers. Visit http://www.txuenergyadvisor.com/ to access the Home Energy Advisor, TXU Energy's free online energy audit that can help save up to 20% on energy bills.

  • Window treatments -- Install storm or thermal windows and doors or
    double-paned glass. A less expensive alternative is plastic sheeting,
    which can be temporarily fastened over doors and windows to prevent drafts and retain heat.
  • Check for air leaks in air ducts, windows, plumbing utilities,
    fireplace flues, attic entrances and recessed light fixtures.
  • Weatherstrip/caulk air leaks and insulate -- Sealing up air leaks with
    caulking and weather stripping and installing adequate insulation in
    walls and the attic are some of the most cost effective savings
    measures you can do in your home.
  • Close doors -- Keep all doors shut and try to minimize the number of
    times doors to the outside are opened and closed. Each time you open the door cold air enters the house.
  • Energy Labels -- Review the ENERGY GUIDE label when buying or replacing larger appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers.  If you are thinking about purchasing a new TV or VCR, look for ENERGY STAR(R) models. ENERGY STAR(R) TVs and VCRs use less energy and save money.
  • Use the energy-saver switch on your appliances.
  • Temperature settings -- Set thermostats at about 70 degrees during the winter and even lower when away from the house for more than a few hours. While sleeping, add an extra blanket for warmth. Turn down thermostats automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing a programmable thermostat.
  • Water heater -- Set water heater temperatures at 120 degrees. A family of four, each showering for five minutes a day, uses 700 gallons of water each week. By lowering the thermostat on the water heater to 120 degrees, families can cut water heating bills without sacrificing comfort.
  • Insulate hot water pipes.
  • Furnace filter -- Clean or replace your furnace filter monthly to help
    your furnace run more efficiently.
  • Heating vents - Close outside vents (where applicable), and close
    dampers on unused fireplaces.
  • If you're going to plant a tree, consider placing deciduous trees on
    the south and west sides of your house. They grow leaves in summer
    that help shade your home and shed leaves in the winter, allowing
    sunlight to warm your house.