GAHANNA, Ohio Nov. 1, 2012— As people across Ohio plug in space heaters and holiday lights, AEP Ohio encourages its customers to also unplug and recycle old refrigerators and freezers. If they act now, they qualify for a rebate temporarily increased from $50 to $60 for participating in the program.

AEP Ohio is raising its rebate by $10 for customers who enroll in the program from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24 to encourage customers to recycle old, energy-wasting refrigerators and freezers. Taking part in the program can also pay off by helping offset the high cost of heating homes during cold winter months. In addition to higher rebate checks, getting rid of an outdated refrigerator or freezer can save customers up to $150 per year on their electricity.

AEP Ohio customers who want their units picked up can call 1-877-545-4112, or visit AEPOhio.com/Rebates. The program is limited to removal of two units for each household per year. Appliances to be recycled must be in working order with an inside measurement of 10-30 cubic feet. Most standard size units qualify.

“Our seasonal special is a great way to save time and make a little extra money for the bills after the holidays or for January sales,” said Deanna Gilliland, AEP Ohio Consumer Program Coordinator. “Participating in AEP Ohio’s program is as easy as scheduling a free pick-up.   And it allows you to save electricity all year.”

Units picked up through the program are transported to an appliance recycling facility operated by JACO Environmental. JACO safely removes hazardous materials from the old energy-guzzlers, reclaiming 95 percent of the materials in the appliances for reuse in manufacturing new products.

Investor-owned utilities in Ohio are required to meet specific energy reduction targets. The energy efficiency programs are part of AEP Ohio’s overall energy efficiency and peak demand response efforts to meet the State of Ohio target of reducing electricity consumption 22 percent by the end of 2025. For more information about AEP Ohio’s energy efficiency consumer programs, events and tips, go to AEPOhio.com/Rebates.

AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers of major AEP subsidiaries Ohio Power Company in Ohio, and Wheeling Power Company in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power. News and information about AEP Ohio can be found at aepohio.com.

 American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east and north Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio. News releases and other information about AEP can be found at www.aep.com.

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