Entergy customers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas can see how “it all adds up” every time they plug in another television set, computer or refrigerator with a few clicks of a mouse.

Customers now have access to three new calculators on the Entergy Web site, one for appliances, one for lighting and one for the whole house. Developed by Apogee Interactive Inc. (Tucker, Georgia, U.S.), the interactive calculators require just a few data points before instantly tabulating an energy analysis and the dollar savings possible for each behavior or equipment change made.

Customers can locate the calculators under the “energy saving tips” link or ENsight button on Entergy's utility company home pages. Typical results might show that five TV sets can consume US$175 in electricity each year and that two computers can use $70 worth a year. Or, that switching to compact fluorescent bulbs could easily save more than $150 a year.

“Our customers continue to look for ways to lower their energy costs,” said Tracey Brodeur, Entergy' residential market manager. “We see the Web as a quicker, easier way to touch our customers and to help them assess their energy use,” she said. The Web-based calculators from Apogee also provide an additional avenue for customer self-service that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“Less than three seconds,” said Susan Gilbert, president of Apogee. “That's the amount of time you have to capture a customer's attention. They want to know, ‘what will I save if I change my thermostat setting or add storm windows?’ ‘Give me a ballpark number, and give it to me fast. Is it $10 or $100?’ That's what most people want,” Gilbert said, based on customer use and feedback on Apogee's calculators, which have been in use by more than 100 utilities over the past 10 years.

Entergy also has expanded its Web-based information for children, adding a “Just for Kids,” section developed by Apogee. This content is aimed at engaging younger audiences in energy efficiency, safety and energy careers through animations, interactive coloring books, puzzles and more. “Educating future generations within our schools is a priority for Entergy,” Brodeur added. “This audience is computer-savvy and we need to use the Internet to reach them.”
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