Constellation announces initiative with Habitat for Humanity to lower energy costs for homeowners

Two-year $200,000 commitment will benefit families in four major cities

HOUSTON (Oct. 29, 2015) — Constellation, a retail energy supplier, today announced an innovative partnership initiative with Habitat for Humanity aimed at reducing energy costs for Habitat partner families through solar generation, weatherization and other energy efficiency solutions. Funded by $100,000 in direct funding to Habitat affiliates and a new $100,000 national partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, the initiative will reach families in Boston, Chicago, Houston and Baltimore, where Constellation is headquartered, and support builds in other cities where the company does business.

“We are grateful to Constellation and its employees for their commitment to Habitat’s mission to strengthen families and revitalize communities,” said Larry Gluth, senior vice president U.S. and Canada, Habitat for Humanity International. “Energy costs are often an obstacle to homeownership and this effort will help lessen that burden for Habitat families and enable them to dedicate more of their budget to other basic needs.”

The initiative builds on Constellation’s previous efforts to lower energy costs for Habitat families. The company has given more than $2 million to affiliates across the country since 1995.

“Constellation is pleased to take our commitment to Habitat for Humanity to the next level,” said Bruce Stewart, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Constellation. “Helping customers buy, manage and use energy more efficiently is key to our business, so it is very meaningful for us to be able to provide energy improvements and critical savings for Habitat families.”

The company has provided more than $75,000 to Houston Habitat since 2013 to weatherize 20 homes, resulting in an average annual savings of $438 per family compared to bills from previous years, a 20 percent reduction in energy costs. Ten Houston homes are targeted for weatherization upgrades in 2016.

“I have worked hard in my life to raise and support my children, but I also want to realize the American dream of owning my own home,” said Annie Clay, Houston Habitat partner family member. “Because Habitat takes an abundant amount of energy cost-reducing measures, Habitat homes have a very low energy footprint, making for very low utility costs for me and my family.”

In 2013 and 2014, weatherization improvements to 10 homes in Chicago reduced annual energy costs by an average of $800 per family. This initiative will provide assistance with weatherization projects to approximately 40 families in the city’s West Pullman area through an affordable cost share program. Weatherization efforts include caulking, insulation improvements, window replacement and weather stripping.

Constellation is currently working with Habitat Boston to pilot solar installations on six homes. The installations are expected to provide approximately 85 percent of the homeowners’ electricity needs. The company has also worked with Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Chesapeake in Baltimore to fund and construct 77 homes to Energy Star 3.0 standards, lowering energy costs by approximately 25 percent for homeowners.

In addition to its financial commitment, Constellation employees volunteered more than 1,500 hours for Habitat builds across the country this year.

About Constellation
Constellation is a leading competitive retail supplier of power, natural gas and energy products and services for homes and businesses across the continental United States. Constellation’s family of retail businesses serves more than 2.5 million residential, public sector and business customers, including more than two-thirds of the Fortune 100. Baltimore-based Constellation is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with 2014 revenues of approximately $27.4 billion, and more than 32,000 megawatts of owned capacity comprising one of the nation’s cleanest and lowest-cost power generation fleets. Learn more at www.constellation.com or on Twitter at @ConstellationEG.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a path out of poverty, since 1976 Habitat has helped more than 5 million people through home construction, rehabilitation and repairs and by increasing access to improved shelter through products and services. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and offers a variety of housing support services that enable families with limited means to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.