· Reliably Green
· Appliance Rebates
· OUC's Rely-A-Pay
· CFHLA Bacchus Bash
· Energy Saving Scams

News and Information from OUC –The Reliable One | MAR 2010

OUC's New Site Helps Customers Become Reliably Green

Reliably Green is OUC’s promise to always keep an eye on our environmental impact. It is weaving sustainability through everything we do, from our green headquarters to the future of power generation. It is our commitment to making changes that make sense while providing reliable and affordable energy and water to our customers.

As part of our promise, this month OUC is launching a new interactive Web site dedicated wholly to conservation, efficiency and alternative energy and water resources. Not only will ReliablyGreen.OUC.com provide energy and water saving tips, it’ll help you determine which home improvements will have the biggest impact on reducing your utility bills.

Whether you want to calculate your home’s carbon footprint or find out if solar panels make sense for your business, ReliablyGreen.OUC.com is your one-stop shop for energy and water conservat on informat on, money-saving rebates, green calculators and more.

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Rebate Program Encourages Upgrade to Efficient Appliances

Say goodbye to old, energy-guzzling appliances and say hello to lower utility costs.

From April 16-25, the State of Florida’s ENERGY STAR Appliance Rebate Program will reward consumers who replace older, inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR qualifed ones that use less energy and water.

Six residential appliances qualify for the 20 percent rebate: refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dish washers, room air conditioners and gas tankless water heaters.

To be eligible for rebates from the State of Florida, purchases must be made during April 16-25. Trade in your old appliance to qualify for an additional $75. To learn more, visit www.ouc.com.

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Reduce Stress with Rely-A-Pay

Take the worry and hassle out of paying your bill with OUC’s automatic bill payment service, Rely-A-Pay. Sign up for Rely-A-Pay to allow OUC to automatically deduct your monthly utilities statement amount from your checking or savings account. It is an easy, worry-free, cost-free way to pay your OUC statement.

All you need is an active checking or savings account drawn on a U.S. f nancial institution. There is no charge for this service from OUC, however, some financial institutions may charge a small fee so please check with your financial institution.

To sign up or to learn more, visit www.ouc.com or call 407.423.9018.

Look Up First for Safety

Remember to look up when working near overhead power lines. If power lines may interfere with your work, call OUC at 407.823.9150 at least two business days before beginning the job. OUC can explain the safest way to perform the work.

Before beginning any excavation work, call Sunshine State One at 800.432.4770 to determine where underground pipes and electric lines are located. Law requires diggers to call this number at least two days before starting excavation, whether it’s a project involving heavy equipment or a simple backyard landscaping job.

You're Invited! Street Party Supports Education

Every year, the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) hosts “Bacchus Bash,” Orlando’s largest street party. Open to the public, this year’s party is scheduled for Friday, April 9, from 5-10 p.m. at the Orlando Premium Outlets.

With more than 100 vendors, participating at endees can sample entrees, desserts and specialty drinks from premier hotels and restaurants and enjoy live entertainment. Exchange cash for “Bacchus Bucks” to sample some of Central Florida’s f nest delights, ranging from $2 to $5. Parking is complimentary and valet parking is available for a modest fee.

All Bacchus Bash net proceeds benefit the CFHLA Educational Trust Fund, which provides scholarships and grants to local hospitality students and schools. Last year Bacchus Bash grossed more than $100,000 with 25,000 people in at endance.

The Presenting Sponsor of the Bacchus Bash is Coca-Cola Bottling Company. For more information, please visit www.BacchusBash.org.

Beware of Energy Saving Scams

Everyone wants to save money, but don’t be fooled by scam artists who try to sell you a device or service that claims to save big bucks on your energy bills.

OUC urges customers to beware of pitches from door-to-door salespeople or unsolicited letters and phone calls that promise unbelievable savings. Contact the Better Business Bureau before purchasing anything and seek out legitimate third-party validation from sources such as Consumer Reports, university reports or government agency Web sites.

OUC’s free home energy audits and conservation tips offer simple, excellent – and often free – ways for customers to reduce their energy usage and lower their bills. Visit ReliablyGreen.OUC.com to try our free online audit or to find tips on how you can start saving today.

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