Direct Energy, Airtron Help Low-Income Ohioans Stay Warm and Safe This Winter Heat the Town addresses furnace cleaning, preventative maintenance needs for over 250 homes

Columbus, OH (9/18/2009) - Direct Energy and affiliate Airtron Heating and Air Conditioning are joining the Air Conditioning Contractors of America for a one-day blitz to clean and inspect the heating systems of more than 250 of Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens as part of Heat the Town this Saturday.

As part of Heat the Town, Airtron’s eight crews will clean and check the heating systems of 28 financially-challenged homes, as well as check each home for high levels of carbon monoxide. Direct Energy is providing volunteers and financial assistance to the program.

“Airtron has participated in Heat the Town since its inception in 2004,” said Jim Raver, Airtron Columbus. “Every year we’re invited into strangers’ homes to offer a much needed service they cannot afford to pay for themselves. After a few moments, we’re no longer strangers. Oftentimes the homeowner is old or disabled and unable to communicate verbally, but the tears in their eyes or the smiles on their faces tell us how much it means to them that we’re there.”

The Heat the Town program brings together 33 heating and cooling companies, 27 suppliers and vendors, and 185 technicians and helpers to service 260 homes in the Central Ohio area. All the homeowners are screened and monitored through IMPACT, a Columbus/Franklin County Community Action Agency.

Airtron and Direct Energy’s support of Heat the Town is part of Direct Energy’s larger corporate strategy to be active members of the communities in which our customers and employees work and live.

“When it comes to their natural gas supply, Ohioans have a choice – and as a competitive energy supplier, Direct Energy understands the need to distinguish ourselves from among the competition by helping consumers in more ways than simply addressing pricing needs,” said Ron Cerniglia, Director of National Advocacy, Direct Energy. “Members of our Ohio-based Direct Energy and Airtron teams volunteer their time to help their less-fortunate neighbors stay safe and comfortable during the winter months. What they’re doing is truly a life-saving service for neighbors.”

The opening ceremonies for Heat the Town will be held at Carr Supply at 1415 Old Leonard Avenue at 7:00 am. The 86 vans of technicians and helpers will depart Carr Supply at 7:45 am.

About Direct Energy
Direct Energy, one of North America’s leading integrated energy companies, supplies natural gas to more than 250,000 customers in Ohio. The company has operated in Ohio since 2004, and has a regional office located in Dublin. Direct Energy also provides energy related services to residential and business customers through its U.S. Home Services business that is headquartered in Miami Township, Ohio. The company, a subsidiary of Centrica, also operates in Texas, the northeastern United States and across Canada. Direct Energy's commitment to helping others extends beyond Ohio. The company partners with other community-based organizations throughout North America to aid them in ending poverty and homelessness.

For additional information, contact:

Yvette Hamilton
Direct Energy
(713) 877-5818
yvette.hamilton@directenergy.com

Direct Energy® is a subsidiary of Centrica plc. All rights reserved. Centrica was created following the demerger of British Gas plc in 1997 and is now a leading supplier of energy and related services. To read more about Centrica plc please visit www.centrica.com.