ASHLAND, KY:  Kentucky Power customers have more programs than ever before to help them save money when seeking to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses.

Recently, the company introduced several new incentive programs to help its ratepayers offset rising electricity costs and become better energy consumers. The company now offers a total of 11 “SMART Programs” -- seven for residential customers, three for commercial customers and one for schools.  Each of these energy efficiency programs, provide benefits to the customer in the form of cash incentives, rebates and long-term energy savings.

The new programs are a result of Kentucky Power receiving approval from the Kentucky Public Service Commission to expand its current line of customer-focused energy efficiency programs and the company’s desire to help its customers save money and lower power bills.

“Saving energy is important to our customers, especially in these challenging economic times,” said E. J. Clayton, manager of energy efficiency and consumer programs. “These programs offer incentives and discounts to encourage consumers to select an energy efficient solution for their home or business.”

For residential customers, the company offers special pricing on energy efficient lighting; incentives on central air conditioning or heat pump tune-ups; energy audits and home weatherization for all-electric customers; incentives on high efficiency heat pumps for site-built and mobile homes; and rebates for purchasing new mobile homes with upgraded insulation and high efficiency heating/cooling systems.

For qualifying business customers, the company offers incentives for several common energy efficiency improvements, including: lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), food service and refrigeration, as well as incentives for custom projects. Incentives for upgrading to a high efficiency heat pump or central air conditioner and a diagnostic and tune-up for heat pumps or central air conditioners, are also offered to small commercial customers.

Kentucky Power also offers programs focusing on low-income customers and schools. In addition, the company distributes free energy efficient lighting at company-sponsored community distribution events throughout the year. Those events are advertised in local newspapers and posted to the company’s website when applicable.

Clayton encourages customers to go online at kentuckypower.com/save or call (800) 572-1113 to learn more details about the various programs the company offers.  “Our website, kentuckypower.com, is a great resource for energy savings tips and information. In addition to detailed information about the energy efficiency programs we offer, there is also valuable information about everyday steps customers can take to reduce their energy bills. The site contains energy calculators, instructional videos and other beneficial resources to aid our customers in becoming better consumers.

 Kentucky Power provides electricity to approximately 175,000 customers in all or parts of 20 eastern Kentucky counties.  It is an operating unit of American Electric Power.

American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.

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