ATLANTA, Jan. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As Georgians continue to experience record-low temperatures this winter, Georgia Power is offering customers a better way to heat their homes with a new rebate of up to $550 for switching to a new, energy efficient heat pump system. The rebate is available through Aug. 31, 2014 to single-family residential customers who replace their natural gas furnace with an electric heat pump or a dual-fuel heat pump system. 

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"Home heating and cooling represents the largest portion of most residential customers' utility bills," said Michele Wagner, director of energy efficiency for Georgia Power. "Offering a range of rebates to encourage homeowners to consider heat pump technology, as well as other energy efficiency programs, is just one of the ways we're helping our customers gain better control of their energy use and save money."

Heat pumps, which are known for flexibility and durability, are the most advanced and efficient heating systems available today. They operate efficiently year-round because they use energy to move heat, not generate it. During colder weather, a heat pump pulls heat from outside and moves it inside the home. During hot weather, it pulls heat from inside the home and moves it outside. By transferring heat instead of generating it, heat pumps eliminate the need for flames and combustion and offer long-term energy savings. 

Georgia Power's heat pump rebates are based on the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating of the selected heat pump. SEER ratings are used to measure the overall efficiency of the unit – the higher the SEER rating, the greater the energy savings. With Georgia Power, customers can receive a $550 rebate for a 16 SEER Variable Refrigerant Flow heat pump; a $400 rebate for a 15 SEER heat pump; or a $200 rebate for 13-14.9 SEER heat pumps. Rebates are also available for high-efficiency heat pump replacements. For more information about heat pump technology and rebates, as well as home heating and cooling energy tips, visit www.georgiapower.com/heatpump.

In addition to savings offered through heat pump rebates, Georgia Power provides a wide variety of additional rebates and incentives to help customers save money and energy including savings on lighting, energy efficient appliances, the popular refrigerator recycling program and more. To browse all of the company's current rebates and incentives, visit georgiapower.com/rebates.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Consistently recognized as a leader in customer service, Georgia Power was recently ranked highest in overall business customer satisfaction among large utilities in the South by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).

SOURCE Georgia Power