Tampa Electric-Expanding Control Over Energy Use

Expanding Control Over Energy Use

The decision by the Florida Public Service Commission to approve an expansion in the number of Tampa Electric's energy efficiency programs means greater energy savings and environmental benefits for the community. 

Tampa Electric, the principal subsidiary of TECO Energy, serves close to 700,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in and around Tampa, Florida.  The electric company began its conservation program initiatives in the late 1970s prior to any federal or state energy conservation requirements.  The company estimates that its conservation programs have offset the need to generate enough electricity to serve 528,000 average size homes over a 12-month period.

One of the newly expanded programs is the innovative Energy PlannerSM.  Tampa Electric now becomes one of only two electric utilities in the southeast to offer this state-of-the-art program.  Energy Planner allows participating customers to make energy consumption decisions based on time-of-day and seasonal energy prices by using a company-provided programmable thermostat to control their central heating and cooling system, electric water heater and/or pool pumps. Energy Planner customers receive multi-tiered electricity rates for a certain time-of-day and season.  Customers can then choose to alter their energy consumption based on the price tiers.  Pilot program customers averaged 10 to 12 percent annual savings on their electricity costs, or nearly a month's worth of electricity based on average usage.

The state also approved Tampa Electric's request to expand both its program to provide no cost, energy-saving items to low-income families, and its Energy Awareness Program, which partners with area schools at the eighth grade level to teach energy efficiency at home and school.  Tampa Electric will also add features or enhancements to a number of existing residential and commercial energy conservation programs including:

• Window Replacement/Upgrades that pay incentives up to $350.
• A Window Film program that pays incentives up to $1 per square foot.
• A Home Energy Audit that will provide participating customers with six compact fluorescent lamps.
• Heating & Cooling program incentives of up to $275.
• Ceiling Insulation incentives up to $200.
• A Commercial Energy Efficient Motors program that will provide $2.50 incentive per horsepower for energy efficient motor upgrades.

For more information about Tampa Electric's energy efficiency programs and TECO Energy, please visit:  www.tecoenergy.com

© 2008 Edison Electric Institute