Direct Energy Teams with Nest to Bring Energy Savings As Part Of Initial Customer Offers in Five States

Strategic partnership to bring home energy management solutions to key U.S., Canadian markets

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Jul 14, 2014, 10:55 ET

HOUSTON, July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct Energy, one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers, is teaming up with Nest, which reinvents unloved products in the home, to bring innovation to several key U.S. and Canadian retail markets with the launch of the Direct Energy Comfort and Control Plan. The new plan includes a Nest Learning Thermostat™ at no cost, a $249 value. Customers who sign up for the Direct Energy Comfort and Control Plan will receive a low fixed rate over a 24- or 36-month period, which provides them stability in price while experiencing the energy-saving benefits of the Nest thermostat.

The Direct Energy Comfort and Control Plan is now available to residential customers across Illinois, New Jersey, New York (except the Con Edison service area), Ohio and Pennsylvania. More states across the U.S. will be added in August, providing customers across the Direct Energy footprint with more choice.

"The Direct Energy Comfort and Control Plan with a Nest Learning Thermostat provides customers with convenience and control empowering them to manage their energy use," said Manu Asthana, president of Direct Energy Residential. "With heating and cooling accounting for approximately 50 percent of the average household energy bill, Nest can make a noticeable difference by helping our customers reduce their energy consumption, ultimately saving them money."

Additionally, Direct Energy is also making the Nest Learning Thermostat available to small businesses across Illinois, New Jersey, New York (except the Con Edison service area), Ohio and Pennsylvania as part of the 24-month Back to Business Plan. Direct Energy is the first retail electric company to join Nest in marketing the Nest thermostat to small businesses. More information can be found at www.business.directenergy.com/nest.

"Partnering with Nest on the Back to Business Plan allows Direct Energy to bring valuable energy-saving tools to our small business customers," said Steve Girard, Head of Small Business for Direct Energy Business. "With the potential savings of a Nest Learning Thermostat, our small business customers will have the ability to save money to grow their businesses and invest in their communities."

The Nest Learning Thermostat learns a homeowner's or small business owner's heating and cooling preferences to create a custom schedule for the home or small business, and adjusts the temperature when they are away. Once the Nest Learning Thermostat learns a schedule, it can save up to 20 percent on residential heating and cooling bills according to calculations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Nest Thermostat takes the local weather into account when making adjustments, which is a major benefit when considering the temperature swings across the United States. Nest users can also monitor and adjust their home's or small business' comfort system remotely by mobile phone, tablet or computer.

"Direct Energy and Nest have a shared vision of providing people with innovative new ways to manage their energy usage," said Ben Bixby, general manager of energy services for Nest. "Now, Direct Energy's residential and small business customers can take advantage the energy-saving features of the Nest Learning Thermostat—just in time for warmest days of the year, when energy use is at its highest."

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with most residential and small business heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. While professional installation of the Nest Learning Thermostat is not required in most cases, customers who prefer a professional installation can contact a Nest Certified Installer.

For more information about the Direct Energy Comfort and Control and Back to Business Plans, visit www.directenergy.com/nest.

Note: Pricing information for each residential utility area in IL, NY, NJ, OH, and PA can be found at www.directenergy.com/nest/pricing.

Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with six million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE:CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada.

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SOURCE Direct Energy