NorthWestern Energy announces second annual Home Suite Home Contest

NorthWestern Energy, in partnership with ENERGY STAR®, recently launched the second annual NorthWestern Energy Home Suite Home contest. NorthWestern Energy will improve the energy efficiency in three customers'; homes by awarding them with a new appliance suite and energy improvement measures, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

A winner will be selected in each of the company's three service territories: Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota. Winners of the 2007 contest were selected in Helena, Mont., Aberdeen, S.D., and Grand Island, Neb.
Customers may enter by completing a short online form on the company's web site. Entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. (MDT), Wednesday, June 4, 2008.

"Winners will be chosen based upon the essay they submit, which explains why they think their home should be chosen," explained Brandy Powers, communications coordinator for NorthWestern Energy. "So far we've received about 500 entries."

There are two separate home appliance suites that will be rewarded, dependent upon if the customer receives electric or natural gas service. If the customer receives both natural gas and electric services, they will have their choice of which package they would like to receive.

The appliance suite for an electric customer consists of: an ENERGY STAR refrigerator with dispenser; ENERGY STAR clothes washer; and electric clothes dryer. The appliance suite for a natural gas customer consists of: a gas range; an option of either a 50-gallon hot water heater, or a natural gas tankless hot water tank; and an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat.

Regardless of service type, winners also will receive an on-site home energy audit. Energy auditors will perform a gas appliance inspection for customers whose gas is delivered by NorthWestern Energy. The auditors will perform a blower door analysis to demonstrate areas of air leakage, and offer customers education on how lifestyle and habits affect energy use. In addition, the winner will receive a report specific to their home and energy use habits and the auditors will install energy efficient measures where applicable.

Contest ends June 4, 2008, at 5 p.m. (MDT)

For complete contest rules, visit www.northwesternenergy.com. Customers may enter the contest through the NorthWestern Energy web site, or by picking up an entry form from a local NorthWestern office, or by calling (888) 467-2669 in Montana and (800) 245-6977 in South Dakota/Nebraska.

Information provided by NorthWestern Energy.
May 2008