August 13, 2003

ROSEMEAD, Calif., Aug. 13, 2003 -- With the hottest part of the summer still ahead, Southern California Edison (SCE) is encouraging its customers to get a $20 rebate by purchasing an ENERGY STAR®-labeled programmable thermostat at a participating home-improvement store.

“Programmable thermostats are a great way to save money on your electric bill.  They are easy to install, and once you set it, you can forget it.  You won’t have to worry about cooling an empty house when you’re away,” said Suzanne Middelburg, manager of SCE consumer affairs. “Customers who use programmable thermostats can save up to 30% on the air conditioning portion of their electric bill.”

Air conditioners account for an average of 150 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month and are some of the costliest energy users in a home.  Programmable thermostats can keep room temperatures within two degrees of the desired temperature, cost as little as $35, and with the $20 rebate, programmable thermostats are available at an affordable price.

For more information on ENERGY STAR®-labeled programmable thermostats, please visit www.sce.com and click on “Rebates and Offers” or call (800) 736-4777.   This program is funded by California ratepayers and administered by SCE under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

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A photo of an ENERGY STAR-labeled programmable thermostat is available for your publication’s use at www.edisonnews.com

An Edison International company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 12 million via 4.5 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within central, coastal and Southern California.