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Gulf Power partners with Tyndall Air Force Base to install 'GoodCents Select'
900 homes equipped with advanced energy management program
PRNewswire
NYSE: SO
PANAMA CITY, Fla. - Aug. 21, 2007 - Military families living on Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Fla. soon will be able to reduce their energy purchase significantly – and save on their electricity bills 87 percent of the time – thanks to a partnership with Gulf Power Company. That's because the 900 homes on the base will be equipped with Gulf Power's nationally recognized energy management system called GoodCents Select as part of an agreement between the utility and GMH, the company that manages base housing. "It's fitting that Tyndall Air Force base – home of the world's most technologically advanced jet fighter – has chosen to give their personnel the nation's most advanced energy management system," said John Hutchinson, Gulf Power's general manager of Public Affairs. "Having GoodCents Select is like buying electricity on sale – with prices lower than normal 87 percent of the time. With a programmable thermostat, residents can set their air conditioning and water heater to run only when they need them or when prices are lowest. The program helps us by reducing demand for electricity at peak times when prices are higher." During a recent period of high electricity demand, Gulf Power's 8,500 customers using GoodCents Select saved about 16 million watts – enough to meet the peak demand for 16 Super Wal-Marts. Reducing energy consumption is important in Florida which ranks second behind Texas as the fastest growing state in the nation and third in total energy consumption. Gulf Power was the first electric utility in the nation to offer customers the system. GoodCents Select allows customers to automatically turn on appliances to take advantage of lower electricity prices throughout the day. Prices with the system change during the day according to a set schedule. The system uses an advanced thermostat that wirelessly "talks" with major appliances such as the home's air-conditioner, water heater and pool pump. As electricity prices change throughout pre-set time periods during the day, the thermostat automatically turns appliances on or off depending on the customer's wishes. The customer may program appliances to be on or off anytime they desire and may over-ride the programming at anytime. Gulf Power says that any appliance in the home that is used during a lower priced time period will cost less to operate. GoodCents Select is the latest in a long line of nationally recognized energy efficiency programs pioneered by Gulf Power Company. In the 1970s, the company developed the GoodCents Home program which promoted energy efficient home building practices such as higher efficiency heat pumps, higher insulation values and double pane windows. Good Cents Home standards - used by electricity companies throughout the nation – as well as many other energy-saving tips can be found online. ### Gulf Power Media Contacts: |