Back to list Service & repair Jan 11, 2011 00:00 Direct Energy A New Choice For Gas Customers In Maryland Baltimore, MD (1/11/2011) - With the excess of the Christmas holidays behind us and a resolution to "tighten our belts" in the new year - now more than ever consumers are conscious of managing their energy bills through winter and looking for simple ways to ease the pressure on their pocket books. With this in mind, Direct Energy, one of North America's leading energy companies, is offering a new and competitive, guaranteed fixed-price deal, with no early cancellation fee to natural gas customers in the Baltimore Gas and Electric area beginning today. The Direct Energy natural gas deal: A 12-month fixed price of $0.699 per therm Price protection for natural gas customers No early cancellation fee "This is an ideal time of year to think about making simple changes to help manage your energy bills" said Steven Murray, president of Direct Energy's residential business. "We believe customers should have the power to choose a deal which best suits their energy needs. Thousands have already chosen Direct Energy to supply electricity to their homes in Maryland - so we're growing our business and using our energy expertise to offer gas as well as electricity to residential and small commercial businesses" Direct Energy has supplied electricity to Maryland businesses since 2004 and expanded its service to provide electricity to residential customers in June 2010. The company's expertise also extends to home heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing services through its Chilltrol, One Hour, Mister Sparky and Benjamin Franklin brands across the state. As well as the peace-of-mind of fixed-term prices to let customers budget for their energy costs through the colder winter months - Direct Energy is focused on helping customers use energy more efficiently by offering expert advice. Here are some top tips which can help customers in both the short and long-term to better manage their energy needs. Quick Fixes Seal your doors, windows and air ducts with weather-stripping or caulk. Install a programmable thermostat which can automatically lower and raise your home's air temperature when you are at work or sleeping. Turn off heat or close vents in unused rooms and shut the doors. Change the direction of airflow on your ceiling fan. For those cold, winter months, the blades should operate in a clockwise direction, helping to push the warm air from the ceiling down into the room. Have a professional, trained technician inspect your heating and cooling systems twice a year - in the spring, and in the fall. Preventative maintenance can avoid costly breakdowns and repairs, and extend the life of your home's systems. Clean or replace your system's filter every month to keep your heating and cooling system running smoothly and efficiently. A good rule of thumb is to clean or change your filter each time you pay your electricity bill. Lasting Fixes Ensure cavity walls are filled with insulation, which could help you save money every year. Check the attic insulation levels, or ask a professional to come in to check for you. Attic insulation prevents energy waste during both winter and summer months, so top up as needed. Don't lose heated air up your chimney! The chimney acts like an open window. Remember to close the chimney flue when the wood-burning fireplace isn't in use. For more on Direct Energy's energy efficiency tips and information, please visit the company's website and navigate to the About Us, Committed to Energy Efficiency section. Customers who are interested in more information about Direct Energy's products and services, or who wish to switch to Direct Energy can call, toll-free, 1-888-200-7930 or visit the company's website. 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 further information, please contact: Claire Monaghan Direct Energy 1-281-222-6033 Claire.Monaghan@directenergy.com Shabina Zakaria Direct Energy 1-713-877-3611 Shabina.Zakaria@directenergy.com