Business Programs are an Easy way to Upgrade Equipment and Receive Rebate Dollars

Our business programs, offered by Dominion Virginia Power, are gaining momentum. Business customers can make the switch to go green while saving some green. Dominion’s business programs offer our customers the chance to submit rebate applications when they perform energy efficiency upgrades such as installation of high efficiency HVAC units and lighting systems.

Since the program began in May, we've had a wide variety of customers take advantage of the rebates. Some national retail stores, warehouse locations, and even private schools. If you're a business owner and would like to learn more about the rebates available for our commercial customers, check out our websites for the HVAC and Lighting Programs.

We have a vendor network that can help determine which HVAC and Lighting systems and pre-qualified contractors are right for you. Search our vendor network database.

Rebate amounts vary and are subject to modifications. Our business customers need to complete the upgrades to their facilities before rebates will be paid. Rebate dollars from Dominion cannot be reserved, so begin planning now for the projects you want to upgrade! As of this week, Dominion has approved over $350,000 in rebate dollars to go towards energy efficient upgrades.

eBill: Make Life Easy

One of the simplest and easiest ways to help with conservation is to cut back on the amount of mail you receive. Join the over half-million Virginia customers who receive and pay their electric bills electronically. Choose your favorite way to pay. It is fast, secure and you can save a stamp.

By viewing and paying your bills online, in one year the average household can:

• Save 6.6 pounds of paper
• Save 0.079 trees
• Avoid using 4.5 gallons of gasoline to mail bills, statements, & payments
• Avoid release of 63 gallons of wastewater into the environment
• Avoid producing 171 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions

So far, Dominion customers have made over 9.7 million electronic payments and received 4.2 million electronic bills. According to a calculator at www.payitgreen.org, those customers have saved 256,278 pounds of paper and have kept 2,333,283 gallons of waste-water from our waterways.

For more information, you can visit www.dom.com Search: Paperless billing

VirginiaEnergySense.org Up and Running!

The launch of the state’s Virginia Energy Sense website last week marks the first step in a full-fledged consumer education campaign with a clear purpose and goal in mind. Designed to educate consumers on energy consumption and conservation, the state’s campaign supports the 2007 Virginia Energy Plan’s goal of reducing electricity demand in Virginia 10% below the 2006 level by 2022. Dominion has voluntarily committed to this goal.

With this website, the state plans to become an “energy savings clearinghouse” where consumers can find trustworthy information and reliable resources. From basic information on understanding an electricity bill to more complex details on tracking your energy usage and comparing it to your neighbors, the site provides a wealth of information for customers to apply at home, work and school. The site also includes information on incentives available through the federal and state government and Dominion.

Check out the website for more information, or you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Saving Energy and Money

In this video series we feature John Favreau, Herb Peterson and Jim Thernig, all of Millstone Power Station, sharing how they save energy and money – and get fit – by bicycling to work. The men also share tips on ways they conserve at their homes.

A husband and wife team also share low cost / no cost energy saving tips. Learn about household tips from Christa Vidonic, Business Performance Analyst and Paul Vidonic, Biologist.

Vishwa Bhargava, nuclear engineer-Engineer Mechanic, shares how he does his part to save energy, natural resources, and money. He also discusses how we all can take action in small, but meaningful ways.

Dominion Employees Live Green

As part of a video series featuring Dominion employees, we continue the spotlight on two more employees sharing their own experience with saving when conserving at home and at work.

Rick Nelson, a Nuclear Engineer at Dominion's Kewaunee Power Station, reflects on making an 83 year old home energy efficient.

Steve Stephens, a senior LAN administrator, shares information about a useful product called a “Kill a Watt”. “Kill a Watt,” a plug-in-device, helps consumers find out the efficiency of appliances such as computers, televisions and microwaves. From there, the consumer can determine what appliances are worth keeping plugged, in as well as calculate electrical expenses and the quality of power they’re receiving.

Dominion’s Customer Service Center in Cleveland used the tool to find out how many kilowatts agents’ computers were using.

Employees Share How We Can Do Our Part To Conserve

As part of an Energy Conservation Casting Call, we found employees from all over Dominion willing to share their energy conservation stories. Each employee that we spotlighted share their personal conservation stories and tips.

Art Costa, Hourly Trader, shares his energy conservation ideas, including installing energy efficient windows and getting a rebate and tax credit.

Mary Phelps, customer relations specialist-Akron Customer Service Center, shares how she goes “green” year round. Some useful tips shared by Phelps include:

• cleaning air vents and replacing furnace filters;
• installing a storm door;
• installing a programmable thermostat; and
• taking advantage of rebates and tax credits offered by the government.

Stay tuned all week for other videos featuring Dominion employees.