DP&L Celebrates Energy Awareness Month, Offers Tips for Cooler Weather.

DAYTON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 1998--October is here, and that means the weather is getting cooler in west central Ohio.

It also means National Energy Awareness Month is upon us, and Dayton Power and Light is using the time to offer its customers some energy-efficiency tips that will help them save energy and stay warm as the thermometer drops.

In the spirit of the month, DP&L encourages its customers to take part in a variety of free programs designed to help them cut down on energy costs. Energy experts with the utility's Personal Energy Program can show you how to prepare your home for winter. They'll do all the work for you -- inspecting your home, educating you on your home's appliances and systems, and offering you recommendations that will help you make energy-saving improvements. Call 1-800-Way-ToGo (1-800-929-8646) to schedule a free appointment.

"National Energy Awareness Month is a good time for all of us to think about what we can do to save energy and make our homes and offices more energy-efficient," said Doug Petitt, DP&L's Energy Resource Center Manager. "At DP&L, we offer things like the Personal Energy Program because we're serious about promoting energy-efficiency."

In celebration of National Energy Awareness Month, DP&L offers these heating tips to prepare you for the upcoming cold weather: -0-

 1.  Sign up for free DP&L programs like the Personal Energy Program,
     a Home Solutions workshop or Budget Billing to learn how to save
     energy and money. Call 1-800-Way-ToGo to learn more.
 2.  Use a programmable thermostat to control energy use and
     automatically adjust the temperature of your home when you are
     away or asleep. Call 1-800-Way-ToGo to order a programmable
     thermostat and have it shipped to your door.
 3.  Apply caulk to windows and cracks to keep the cold air outside
     and the warm air inside.
 4.  Install weather-stripping to doors to reduce air infiltration.
 5.  Replace your furnace filter monthly to ensure top performance.
 6.  Don't block air flow around registers.
 7.  Install socket sealers in electrical outlets -- they can reduce
     air infiltration by up to five percent.
 8.  Call DP&L in the event of an electric or natural gas service
     interruption. Don't assume that your neighbors have already
     called.
 9.  Be sure to carry emergency items in your home and car throughout
     the winter, including a flashlight, battery-operated radio, fresh
     batteries, bottled water, food that does not require cooking or
     refrigeration, extra blankets, warm clothing and a first aid kit.
10.  Keep warm by dressing in layers, eating well and moving around to
     stimulate circulation.
11.  Never leave space heaters, fireplaces or any open flame
     unattended. Follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer
     for the safe operation of heating equipment.
12.  Keep the damper closed when fireplace is not in use.
13.  Close off adjacent rooms to prevent heat loss.
14.  Turn off all appliances (except one light) and other electrically
     powered units in the event of an outage. Appliances that are on
     when power is restored can cause a circuit overload.
15.  Steer clear of all fallen wire and other electrical objects. Call
     DP&L to report all fallen electrical equipment.
16.  Find out if you are eligible for winter bill assistance by
     calling the Ohio Energy Credit Program at 1-800-282-4310 or
     writing them at the Ohio Energy Credit Program, Ohio Department
     of Taxation, P.O. Box 2619, Columbus, OH, 43266-0119.

DP&L, a subsidiary of DPL Inc., provides electricity, natural gas and other energy services to 500,000 customers in the Ohio region. Widely recognized as an industry leader in productivity and efficiency, DP&L was named the Utility of the Year in 1994 and received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency in 1996. The company's combined rates for electricity and gas service are consistently among the lowest in Ohio. The company's website is located at www.waytogo.com.