British Gas launches green package: energy company's rewards for using less

YOU wouldn't expect supermarkets to reward customers for buying less food or a petrol retailer telling people to drive less.

So, it might seem surprising to hear that Britain's biggest domestic energy company is asking customers to use less gas & electricity!

But in a sense this is exactly what British Gas is doing.

Today, the company is unveiling a green package of measures and initiatives designed to help consumers save money, reduce energy consumption and offset the carbon emissions created by heating and lighting their homes.

By launching Energy Savers Club and Climate AwareBritish Gas is pioneering an innovative approach to incentivise consumers to use energy wisely, to save money and to help reduce their carbon footprint.

Energy Savers Club is a two-year on-line energy efficiency offer for householders who want to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their bills.

British Gas will reward householders with £10 credit per fuel per year for not wasting energy and becoming more energy efficient. Money will be credited to customers' accounts at the end of the two-year period.

Customers can join the British Gas Energy Savers Club* online and will undertake to improve the energy rating of their home. In return, British Gas will offer consumers:

* On-line billing service

* Renewable Electricity at no additional cost**

* A two-year, tailor-made online home energy efficiency plan, designed to help customers to improve the energy rating of their homes

* Tips and advice aimed at improving the energy rating of the home

* In addition, members of the Energy Savers Club could enjoy exclusive discounts on energy efficiency products.

* Limited availability

**Available until October 2006

Customers can pre-register on-line for Energy Savers Club www.house.co.uk/saversclub

Climate Aware gives consumers an opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from their homes online.

The deal is unique in Europe - an initiative that enables householders to take responsibility for the impact of their energy use on the environment and to manage their energy consumption.

What makes Climate Aware different is the combination of carbon offset with practical energy efficiency steps, which could help consumers reduce their gas and electricity consumption year on year.

Customers who sign up to British Gas Climate Aware pay a contribution of around £30 for their carbon emissions based on their annual energy consumption for the past twelve months.

British Gas, working with environment experts Climate Care, will invest every penny of customers' contributions in environmentally friendly projects in developing countries to offset the carbon emissions of the homes in Britain.

Customers will be kept informed about the projects they will be helping to support via a quarterly environmental e-magazine.

Jill Harrison, head of consumer affairs at British Gas said: "A third of all carbon dioxide emissions comes from the energy used in our homes. In putting together our package of green initiatives, we aim to help our customers to save money, save energy and help the environment. For as little as 60 pence a week, customers could help protect the environment by offsetting their carbon emissions.

"One pound in every three we spend on heating is immediately wasted through energy loss. Therefore, we hope that the British Gas Energy Saver initiative will enable us to reward customers by as much as £40 for not wasting energy and for working with us to make their homes more energy efficient."

Customers can sign up for Climate Aware on line - www.house.co.uk/climate

Climate Aware How does it work?

* Customers sign up on line for Climate Aware www.house.co.uk/climate

* A `carbon calculator' will assess carbon emissions of the house for the past 12 months and calculate the carbon premium for the customer

* Carbon premium, ranging from £20 to £30 depending on the size of the house, will be used to invest in environmentally friendly projects in developing countries

* The carbon offset is a one-off payment, which must be paid in full online at the time of registration

* Customers are also offered an online energy efficiency audit, together with tips and advice on saving energy and money

* Quarterly online newsletters will be sent to customers, keeping them informed about how their money is being invested as well as communicating the latest green tips, news and innovations.

*** Source: Energy Saving Trust