DETROIT, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- With winter just around the corner, there's never been a better time for DTE Energy customers to make home improvements that can help them save money by saving energy. DTE Energy is offering customers a variety of home energy audits and an array of rebates and incentives to help defray the cost of making their homes more energy efficient.

"A home energy audit is a good first step to make your home more energy efficient. It can help you determine how much energy your home is using and identify and prioritize improvements that can help reduce your energy bills," said Trevor Lauer, DTE Energy vice president of retail marketing.

DTE Energy's audit program features options ranging from a free online assessment tool to comprehensive in-home audits employing state-of-the-art testing by certified professionals.

Depending upon the option chosen, DTE Energy's MichCon customers can qualify for a rebate of up to $350 on their audit. MichCon and Detroit Edison customers who have in-home surveys or comprehensive audits done can take advantage of rebates of up to $1,500 for making improvements recommended by their auditor.

DTE Energy's home energy audit programs include:

    --  Online Assessment.  DTE Energy's MyEnergy Analyzer, available to all DTE
        Energy customers at YourEnergySavings.com, helps users identify factors
        that are impacting their energy bills and offers customized
        recommendations for lowering their costs. Customers completing a
        MyEnergy Analyzer audit receive a free energy efficiency kit valued at
        $25.
    --  Energy Survey.  For $25, customers can sign up for an in-home energy
        assessment by a trained surveyor who will review their homes' energy
        usage, heating equipment and insulation and make recommendations on how
        to improve their homes' energy efficiency.  Customers will receive a kit
        that includes compact florescent light bulbs, a programmable thermostat,
        an energy efficient showerhead and a faucet aerator.  The surveyor will
        install these items at no additional cost at homes that qualify.
        --  To be eligible for this program, MichCon must be your primary
            heating fuel supplier or you must have all electric heat with
            Detroit Edison as your primary energy supplier.
    --  Comprehensive Audits.  Customers can choose an in-depth audit by a
        trained energy auditor that includes analysis of their homes' thermal
        shell, insulation, appliances and furnace, as well as infrared vision
        assessment and a blower door test that will determine their homes' air
        leakage.  Homeowners receive a written report outlining energy
        cost-savings and payback estimates for making recommended improvements.
        Homeowners who qualify may have compact florescent light bulbs, a
        programmable thermostat, an energy efficient showerhead and a faucet
        aerator installed by the auditor at no additional cost.
        --  Comprehensive audits are market priced, typically ranging from about
            $200 to $600, depending upon the home's size and location and the
            number of tests the auditor performs.

        --  To be eligible for this program, MichCon must be your primary
            heating fuel supplier or you must have all electric heat with
            Detroit Edison as your primary energy supplier.

For more details or scheduling information, customers can visit YourEnergySavings.com or call (866) 796-0512.

DTE Energy's home energy audit program is part of the company's Your Energy Savings initiative, designed to help customers save money and help the environment by saving energy. Your Energy Savings offers appliance recycling, energy efficiency assistance and other programs, discounts and rebates.

SOURCE DTE Energy