TORONTO, ON, March 1, 1999...Enbridge Consumers Gas, the country’s largest gas distributor, officially launched the Gas Ready program in Ontario today. The service is a co-operative effort between the company together with homebuilders and contractors —making it easier to install natural gas appliances during the construction of their home or in the future.

At present, more than 50 builders have made a commitment to the Gas Ready program and this number is quickly growing. "The Gas Ready program is creating a lot of interest among new homebuyers because it allows them to cut costs without cutting corners," says Peter Saturno, President of Midhaven Homes in Oshawa. "Many more of our home purchasers are looking for both the lifestyle benefits and energy savings of natural gas appliances while living in the home as well as an increase in the home’s future value when they decide to sell."

The Gas Ready program encourages new homebuilders to incorporate properly sized internal gas supply lines into the home to accommodate a full range of natural gas powered appliances. As a result, separate gas lines can then be installed right up to the points of use throughout the house during construction, or after in unfinished areas. Builders become registered as "Gas Ready Builders" by meeting certain technical requirements outlined by Enbridge Consumers Gas professionals.

In a recent survey of new homebuyers conducted by Proof Positive Real Estate Research, 70 per cent say they prefer the option to own natural gas appliances. And more than half felt that natural gas hook-ups should be a standard feature in all new homes, even if the cost of the upgrade is passed on to them.

Susan Clinesmith, Manager, New Construction Marketing at Enbridge Consumers Gas

has also noticed a shift in consumer demand. "We have noticed a growing awareness and interest in natural gas appliances, such as ranges, dryers and barbecues, among new homeowners. This reinforces what we already knew, that natural gas is the fuel of choice."

What does the Gas Ready program mean for the homebuyer?

A Gas Ready homeowner will see substantial cost savings over other energy sources. For example, a gas kitchen range costs 52 per cent less to operate than the equivalent electric model and natural gas water heaters can reduce your hot water energy bills by half.

Here are just a few of the reasons why homeowners should consider a Gas Ready program:

• convenience – installing a natural gas fireplace eliminates the hassles of having to clean the grate, chop wood or contend with smoke in the midst of a harsh winter.

• flexibility – new homebuyers can install appliances now or in the future, easily and cost-effectively.

• improved product – gas furnace and boiler pilot lights have been replaced with electronic ignition to reduce energy consumption even further. Inside, there are advanced heat and combustion chambers and heat exchangers that do a better job of extracting the heat produced by gas burners.

"Gas Ready features will also improve a home’s resale value because of the energy savings and the option for future homeowners to use gas in the home," adds Clinesmith.

Enbridge Consumers Gas, Ontario’s leading energy supplier and retail service company, is the country’s largest natural gas distributor, serving approximately 1.4 million customers in central and eastern Ontario.

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maimu@montanasteele.com