Direct Energy Helps Low-Income Residents Stay Safe and Warm

Columbus, OH (9/29/2012) - Local energy supplier Direct Energy joined forces with 50 area heating contractors in a one-day blitz to provide free on-site service calls and carbon monoxide (CO) inspections to more than 400 low-income, elderly and disabled persons in the Columbus area. The company also donated 200 CO alarms to alert homeowners to life-threatening levels of the dangerous gas.

The ninth annual "Heat the Town" event was sponsored by the local trade association, Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), and IMPACT Community Action, a non-profit agency that provides services for low-income residents of Columbus and Franklin County.

Technicians from Airtron, a Direct Energy company, joined more than 150 volunteer contractors to help vulnerable residents stay safe and warm during the winter. Since 2004, ACCA members have contributed more than $250,000 in parts and labor to more than 1,300 households. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas known as the "silent killer." A person who breathes too much CO will become sick and even die in minutes. CO is produced whenever any fuel such as natural gas, propane, kerosene and charcoal is burned.

"They only way to know if there are dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home is through a carbon monoxide alarm," said Cory Byzewski, Direct Energy vice president and general manager. "Sadly, the majority of Columbus residents who reported symptoms of CO poisoning lacked alarms, according to research by Nationwide Children's Hospital. Direct Energy is proud to partner with ACCA and IMPACT Community Action in saving lives and preventing illness, especially among those residents with the least resources."

The Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital studied CO-related service runs performed by the Columbus Division of Fire between 2007 and 2009. The results showed that 75 percent of residents who experienced symptoms of CO poisoning lacked CO alarms. The greatest number of CO investigations occurred in zip codes with a higher percentage of residents living below the poverty level than the U.S. average.

"Having routine maintenance is not a high priority for people struggling to make ends meet, but it's a concern for Airtron and Direct Energy, and that's why we're glad to contribute to the health and safety of Franklin County residents," said Jeff Morrow, of Airtron Columbus. Direct Energy's involvement in Heat the Town coincides with the energy supplier's plans for increasing investment in Ohio. The company has operated in the state since 2004, supplying energy services to more than 250,000 residential and business customers.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE:CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada.

For additional information, contact:

Bethany Ruhe
Senior Manager, Public Relations
Direct Energy
Phone: 1-412-667-5616,
Cell: 1-412.841-3818
Bethany.Ruhe@directenergy.com

Linda Siefkas
Siefkas Public Relations
Phone: 1-614-486-3100,
Cell: 1-614-404-4374
lsiefkas@columbus.rr.com