RICHMOND, Va., May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Virginia Power has renewed and expanded its instant discounts on energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and is offering several new programs to help customers get their homes and businesses in shape for improved energy efficiency.

"We are offering five energy efficiency and demand-reduction programs to help our residential and commercial customers gain better control of their energy usage," said Paul Koonce, chief executive officer of Dominion Virginia Power. "Combined with a balanced mix of environmentally friendly new generation and other infrastructure improvements, these programs will help meet Virginia's growing energy needs."

Dominion's new lighting program is based on the discount program that provided instant discounts on more than 4 million CFLs sold since December 2007. The new program provides discounts of approximately $1 to $6 on a variety of CFL packages. This discount will be available initially at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores with additional retailers to follow. A current list of retailers and products is available on Dominion's Web site at: www.dom.com.

Additional programs for residential customers are:

• Smart Cooling Rewards: In return for an annual incentive payment, residential participants allow Dominion to cycle their central air conditioners and heat pump compressors on and off for short periods, while their fans stay on, circulating already cooled air throughout the home. This program, which will reduce energy usage during times of high demand, initially will be offered in the Charlottesville and Albemarle County region.
• Home Energy Improvement: Income-qualifying households in pre-defined neighborhoods that meet Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development requirements will receive no-cost energy audits and energy-efficiency improvements. Participants are identified by state agencies and community organizations.

Programs for business customers are:

• HVAC Rewards: This program provides a financial incentive to upgrade heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to higher-efficiency systems.
• Lighting Rewards: This program provides a financial incentive to retrofit existing inefficient lighting with more energy-efficient lighting.

Information about the programs, which have been approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission, is available on Dominion's Web site, www.dom.com. Customers also may call 1-888-366-8280 for information.  

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of more than 27,500 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage system and serves retail energy customers in 12 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.

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SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power