DTE Energy Says Customers Could Save Nearly $600 Million Through Energy Efficiency Programs

DTE Energy Co DTE revealed Wednesday that customers, who are participating in its energy efficiency offerings in 2015, would save nearly $600 million in all programs. That included free home and business consultations, lighting discounts at local retailers and rebates on high-efficiency heating and air conditioning equipment apart from ENERGY STAR appliances.

DTE Energy said several other initiatives, including the free DTE Insight app and a PowerScan tool to view energy consumption from any appliance, also contributed to the savings. The company added that it enabled customers to assess real-time energy use from their smartphones.

The company indicated that customers participating in these programs have saved enough electricity to power approximately 460,000 homes apart from sufficient natural gas to heat over 200,000 homes. The company added that programs have also reduced greenhouse gas emissions, estimated to be the equivalent to over 546,000 cars driven in a year.

DTE Energy's Director of energy optimization, John Boladian, commented, "DTE energy efficiency programs save our customers money, reduce energy waste and improve the environment – all while creating jobs and supporting local businesses throughout Michigan. The savings start from the moment customers install a high-efficiency light bulb or energy efficient water heater, and lasts over the lifetime of their energy-saving upgrades. Customers benefit immediately from discounts or rebates, and from long-term savings on their energy bills."

The company stated that one of the ways that customers could save was free Business Energy Consultation. The company added that customers who have invested in bigger energy efficiency projects included the Kentwood Public Schools.