December 19, 2001

ROSEMEAD, Calif., December 19, 2001— Southern California Edison (SCE) announced today that its customers have responded in unprecedented numbers to the utility’s 2001 home energy-efficiency rebate programs. 

“Interest in this year’s cash incentives for upgrading to more efficient household devices has exceeded anything we have seen in previous years,” said Lynda Ziegler, SCE’s director of customer programs and services. 

As of Nov. 30, SCE had issued 70,600 rebate checks to its residential customers totaling over $8.8 million, compared to a total of 14,000 rebates paid in 2000.  The rebates have helped homeowners purchase more efficient central and room air conditions, whole house fans, programmable thermostats and refrigerators and to upgrade home insulation and windows.

“We recently received the one millionth customer phone call so far this year asking about our energy-efficiency programs,” said John Nall, SCE’s manager of residential rebate programs.  “That is five times the number of inquiries we received last year.”

Rebate totals by SCE 2001 energy-efficiency program

Rebate Totals
Attic Insulation $134,600
Wall Insulation $14,900
Central A/C $2,063,600
Room A/C $10,200
Central Heat Pump $83,000
Evaporative Cooler $387,700
Whole House Fan $1,059,300
Programmable Thermostats $77,000
High Performance Windows $346,800
Refrigerators $4,717,500
Totals $8,894,600

In addition, SCE developed rebate programs in partnership with leading retailers that made it possible for its customers to purchase the following items at discounted prices.

Discount Total
Compact Fluorescent Lamps $5,000,000
Fluorescent Torchiere Lamps $650,000

SCE's 2001 energy-efficiency programs are expected to help customers reduce annual energy usage by 600 million kilowatt hours or enough power to supply 91,000 average homes for an entire year.

Utilities and the CPUC are currently planning incentive programs that will be offered next year.  SCE expects to announce its 2002 rebate programs early in 2002.

For more information on 2001 rebate programs still open for enrollment, customers can visit www.sce.com and click on “Save Energy and Money,” or call 1-800-736-4777 weekdays during business hours. 

Funding for these energy efficiency programs is provided by California utility customers and administered by Southern California Edison within its service area under the auspices of the CPUC.

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An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 11 million via 4.3 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within central, coastal and Southern California.