Building on its stated corporate commitment to provide innovative products and great value, Lowe’s is introducing a new, easier way for consumers to save money on their home energy bills. This month Lowe’s announced it is launching Energy Centers in 21 California stores.
What Is The Energy Center?
The Energy Center is a one-stop, easy-to-shop destination that empowers customers to create an energy plan that fits their budget and home improvement goals. An information kiosk offers a touch-screen display to help customers evaluate energy needs, and the Energy Center features products that offer alternative energy solutions.
How Homeowners Can Save Money
The Energy Center outlines three ways for customers to save energy and money:
· Measure how much energy they use or lose with power monitors and other devices. Black & Decker’s Power Monitor ($79) allows consumers to measure their home’s real-time energy use and receive feedback to help them change consumption habits. In addition to measuring real-time energy use and projecting monthly bills, The Energy Detective, or TED ($240), from Energy Inc., measures solar generation and allows users to view data remotely.
· Reduce energy consumption with CFLs and other money-saving products. To reduce energy consumption, the Energy Center offers easy solutions, many as simple as changing a light bulb. Consumers can switch out an old 60-watt incandescent bulb for a 13-watt micro-mini CFL that lasts up to 11 years. A programmable thermostat can help save about $180 a year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
· Generate and use renewable energy with solar panels. Homeowners also will be able to harness the power of the sun or wind to generate the energy they need. For those seeking power on the go, Sunforce’s 6.5-watt folding solar panels ($99) charge car and boat batteries, as well as cell phones and MP3 players. Generating power for the home just got easier, too. Akeena Solar’s Andalay AC Solar Power System ($893 per panel), winner of a 2009 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Product Award, has built-in inverters that produce household AC power, so there is no high-voltage DC wiring.
Lowe's VP Comments
“Homeowners are paying more attention than ever to their utility bills, and the first step to saving energy is tracking where it’s going,” said Nick Canter, Lowe’s executive vice president of merchandising. “By providing monitoring tools to help customers know their numbers, Lowe’s is helping them find the money-saving solution that’s right for them.”
Lowe’s is the first major retailer to offer many of these products in one place and the first to stock and sell grid-connected solar panels in stores. The energy-saving products will be available nationwide at Lowes.com.
The Energy Center is available in Lowe’s California stores in Antioch, South Antioch, Burbank, Cotati, Dublin, North Fontana, Fremont, Livermore, Pacoima, East Palmdale, Palmdale, San Bruno, East San Jose, East Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, South San Francisco, Sunnyvale, Union City, Vacaville, Victorville and West Hills. The Energy Center will be in additional U.S. and Canadian stores in 2010.
Mary McCarthy - Mary T. McCarthy is the blogger at pajamasandcoffee.com and Editor of Chesapeake Family magazine.
