Direct Energy Donates Portable Air Conditioners to Seniors in Need

Houston, TX (August 5, 2014) - As Houston's intense summer heat drives people inside, Direct Energy and One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating today announced a donation of 35 portable air conditioning units to help elderly residents stay cool.

"Houston's intense heat during the summer makes having a good, working air conditioner especially important for our seniors," said Jessica Mahaffey, Head of External Affairs, Direct Energy. "This donation exemplifies Direct Energy's commitment to harnessing our energy expertise to make a difference in people's lives."

For the second year in a row, Direct Energy partnered with Neighborhood Centers Inc. to help meet this need. Through Neighborhood Centers Inc. 35 seniors were identified who are currently on a fixed income and either cannot pay to have their air conditioning units repaired or replaced, or who simply do not have enough units to cool the most-used rooms in their homes.

"We are committed to the health and wellbeing of older adults so they may live safe and independent lives. Direct Energy's donation allows our seniors to live in a comfortable and safe environment in their own homes," said Meggin Lorino, Director of Senior Activity and Education Services, Neighborhood Centers Inc.

The donated units will be delivered and professionally installed to all 35 homes by One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating professional certified technicians over three days.

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About Neighborhood Centers

Neighborhood Centers Inc. brings resources, education and connection to more than 528,000 people throughout Texas each year. For more than a century, Neighborhood Centers has offered innovative solutions to help low-income families in emerging neighborhoods get a foothold in the region's economy. The organization works with residents in more than 70 service locations to help them discover the strengths and skills necessary to become productive, prosperous and self-sufficient. Building on the strengths of individuals and communities, Neighborhood Centers is transforming them. FOR GOOD. Neighborhood Centers Inc. is a United Way agency. For more information, visit www.iamforgood.org/events.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with 7 million residential and commercial customer relationships. In addition to its CPL Retail Energy, WTU Retail Energy, First Choice Power, Bounce Energy, and New Leaf brands, Direct Energy is the third-largest retail electricity provider in Texas. It owns a series of energy-related services companies. 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 states and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, visit www.directenergy.com.

For further information, please contact:
Jessica Michan
Jessica.michan@directenergy.com
Direct Energy
713-904-7488

Frida Villalobos
Neighborhood Centers Inc.
713-669-5348