College Campus Safety Fuels ENERGYguide.com's Back-to-School Contest.

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 10, 1999--

Contest Promotes Lighting Safety and Energy Efficiency

Learn About Safe Alternatives to Torchiere Lamps and

Win an Apple iBook Personal Notebook Computer 

ENERGYguide.com launched a back-to-school contest to promote lighting safety and energy efficiency awareness among college administrators, parents, and students today.

More than 50 million halogen floor lamps are in dormitory rooms and homes throughout the United States. ENERGYguide.com wants college students and their parents to know that these inexpensive lamps reach temperatures ranging from 700 to 1,100(degree) Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to burn cloth. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the lamps have been attributed to more than 200 fires in the U.S. The high risk 500-watt tubular halogen bulbs are no longer approved by Underwriters Laboratories, an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization, and are being banned by colleges across the U.S.

"St. Lawrence University has long had a belief that our policies must enhance the care and safety of the people here, the historic buildings and the environment in which we educate our students," said Michele James, director of residence life at St. Lawrence University. "While we had never experienced a problem, we learned of safety hazards associated with halogen lamps, and decided to ban the use of halogens."

Other universities that have banned the halogen lamps or restricted their use include Harvard University, University of Massachusetts, and the University of Pennsylvania.

In addition to representing a safety hazard, halogen lamps consume large amounts of electricity and therefore are expensive to operate and environmentally unfriendly. Fortunately, college students can start the school year off safely with compact fluorescent torchieres that offer the same bright light as halogen lamps but generate much less heat, thereby eliminating the fire hazard. They also use up to $40 less in annual electricity costs per lamp, depending on location and usage.

ENERGYguide.com's campaign includes a Back-to-School contest that helps entrants determine the potential cost savings of compact fluorescent torchieres and offers the chance to win an Apple iBook personal notebook computer. In addition to the grand prize, two instant winners will receive energy efficient fans to help keep dormitory rooms cool through the early fall months. Consumers can register at www.ENERGYguide.com and all entries must be received by midnight EST Monday, September 20, 1999. Contest winners will be announced on Thursday, September 30, 1999. During the contest period, ENERGYguide.com is offering a 10% discount on compact fluorescent torchiere lamps.

As part of the program, ENERGYguide.com has also contacted 250 colleges and universities around the country to make them aware of the dangers of the halogen lamps and alternative lighting solutions. In most cases, colleges can actually save money by providing compact fluorescent torchieres free of charge to students in place of their halogen lamps. ENERGYguide.com is offering special discounts to colleges for bulk purchases.

About ENERGYguide.com

ENERGYguide.com was designed to help consumers simplify energy choices. In addition to the most comprehensive, up-to-date, customer-friendly information available on gas and electricity deregulation, ENERGYguide.com currently has information on over 90 electric and gas suppliers and almost 300 energy offers in 10 deregulated states. ENERGYguide.com also offers consumers personalized energy calculators to help them understand the energy efficiency of different products and how they can lower energy bills and help the environment. ENERGYguide.com features more than 150 energy-efficient products, representing 25 major manufacturers that can be purchased on-line, in some cases net of rebates offered by sponsoring utilities. ENERGYguide.com is not affiliated with any energy company.

About Nexus Energy Software

Nexus Energy Software, based in Newton, Massachusetts, is the leading provider of energy and environmental-related Internet and PC products for consumers and small businesses. Nexus products create a channel for communications and commerce between consumers and energy companies as well as suppliers of other energy-related products and services. For more information on Nexus, please go to www.nexusenergy.com or visit ENERGYguide.com at www.ENERGYguide.com. Nexus is an EPA ENERGYSTAR ally.