A Family In Need Receives Warmth

Baltimore, Maryland (10/27/2011) - George and Elsie Creighton of Dundalk will receive a brand new furnace this week from Direct Energy. Working with the Fuel Fund of Maryland, Direct Energy, one of North America's largest competitive retailers of energy and energy related services, will donate a new furnace including installation to the Creightons to help them stay warm this winter, and beyond. The Creightons were nominated by their local Fuel Fund after their furnace stopped working.

"The donation of [a] new furnace is a wonderful gift for my wife and me," said George Creighton. "The generosity of Direct Energy is overwhelming. With a new furnace, we will be able to heat our home and not have to worry about it breaking down."

"We are so grateful that Direct Energy and the Fuel Fund gave us the opportunity to get the furnace that we couldn't afford to purchase on our own," Mrs. Creighton continued.

Direct Energy is committed to supporting vulnerable and fuel-poor households by helping families secure the basic energy they need to maintain safe and healthy living conditions. By providing opportunities that support energy efficiency, debt management and financial assistance, Direct Energy believes in a grassroots approach to helping those most in need.

"The Fuel Fund of Maryland is a fantastic organization and we are thrilled to partner with them, and help support vulnerable families," said Marty Ackerman, Vice President for Chilltrol, a Direct Energy brand. "Direct Energy believes we have a responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work, which is why we are so pleased to have provided the Creightons with a well-deserved new furnace."

Direct Energy has also partnered with the Fuel Fund of Maryland and The Loading Dock to hold an energy education event where families will have the opportunity to learn how to reduce their energy consumption and save money. The event will offer free workshops and hands-on demonstrations covering water, gas and electric conservation including the correct installation of weather stripping and caulking, fixing leaks, lighting and more. The event will take place on Saturday, October 29th, from 1 - 3:30 p.m. at The Loading Dock.

"This furnace will enable the Creightons to heat their home more efficiently and waste less money on their energy bills," said Mary Ellen Vanni, Executive Director, Fuel Fund of Maryland. "We are happy to have Direct Energy and The Loading Dock working with us to help families save money by saving energy!"

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related service 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.

About the Fuel Fund of Maryland

The Fuel Fund of Maryland provides life-saving resources to vulnerable Maryland families for heat and home utility needs. Since 1981, the Fuel Fund has assisted seniors and people with disabilities existing on fixed incomes, families and individuals earning minimum wage, and people weathering hardships like job losses or medical emergencies. Over half the people served by The Fund are children. Watt Watchers - the newest Fuel Fund program - is the "How To" energy conservation and financial education initiative that teaches families to lower energy costs so that class participants realize immediate savings on utility bills. The Fuel Fund works toward a day when all Marylanders will have adequate resources to make home energy affordable. An investment in the Fuel Fund of Maryland is an Investment in Families' Futures.

About The Loading Dock

The Loading Dock, Inc. is Maryland's premier building materials reuse facility, offering great deals and interesting finds to people who need inexpensive housing improvement and building materials and are interested in keeping material out of the waste stream.

For additional information, contact:

Emily Richardson
Direct Energy
1-416-758-8979 (office)
1-416-709-3677 (mobile)
emily.richardson@directenergy.com