Consumers Energy Offers Suggestions and Programs to Help Households Cut Down on Summer Energy Costs

JACKSON, Mich., May 30, 2017

"From our Peak Power Savers program to taking everyday actions around the house, Michigan residents should know they can be in control of their energy use and still stay comfortable, even on the summer's hottest days," said Teri VanSumeren, Consumers Energy's executive director of energy efficiency programs.

New for Consumers Energy customers this year is its Peak Power Savers program, which provides new pricing options for households with central air to lower energy bills:

• Sign up for rates that reward them financially for shifting their energy use to off-peak times. They can pay a lower rate during off-peak hours all year long and can save even more on the days when energy use is expected to be extremely high.
• Allow their air conditioning units to be cycled at certain times on the hottest weekdays of the year, typically four hours or less. Customers receive a $25 gift card for signing up and a monthly credit of $7.84 on their energy bill June through September.

Consumers Energy offers a variety of energy efficiency programs that in some cases can lower a household's summer energy bill by as much as 20 percent. VanSumeren offered seven tips to help reduce summer energy use. Learn more at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/myhome:

1. If you have central air conditioning, clean leaves and debris from the unit and away from the compressor because they can block airflow. Clean the filter regularly. Dusty filters make your air conditioner work harder.
2. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you're home and higher when you're away. Install an automatic setback or programmable thermostat that starts your air conditioner shortly before you get home. Consumers Energy offers rebates of up to $100 on Wi-Fi enabled thermostats.
3. Close drapes, shades and blinds during the day to prevent the sun from heating your home unnecessarily. Open windows and doors in early morning and in the evening to let cooler air in.
4. Make sure to seal and insulate your home. Reducing air leakage can be just as important to keep cool in the summer as to stay warm in the winter. Information about rebates for air sealing, insulation and windows is available at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/myhome or by calling 866-234-0445.
5. Operate your stove, oven, dishwasher and clothes dryer in the morning or evening when it's cooler outside. They add extra heat to your home and make your air conditioner work harder.
6. Keep cool with fans. A ceiling fan cools fast and costs less than air conditioning. You can also reduce the need for air conditioning by installing an attic fan.
7. Replace or tune up your old air conditioning equipment and receive rebates ranging from $50 to $500. Go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com/myhome or call 866-234-0445 to choose a participating contractor, who will install equipment, perform tune-ups and submit the rebate application for you.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.