LOS ANGELES, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has increased its incentives for customers served by municipal utilities in the Los Angeles County area who participate in the Energy Upgrade California program.  These municipalities include the cities of Azusa, Burbank, Glendale, Los Angeles, and Pasadena.  The incentives being offered by SoCalGas are in addition to the rebates LA County currently offers.  When combined with SoCalGas' incentives, customers could benefit from up to $8,000 for home energy-efficiency improvements.

Now through September 1, 2012, the Basic Upgrade Package, which includes sealing air leaks and installing insulation, and typically yields up to $320 in incentives, has increased to $1,000. The Advanced Upgrade Package has increased from $1,280 to $4,000 in incentives, which may include installing energy-efficient windows, duct replacement, a high-efficiency furnace, better heating and cooling systems, and high-efficiency water-heating systems.  The more energy a homeowner saves, the higher the incentive. 

To qualify for the incentives, customers must schedule a home energy assessment with a participating Energy Upgrade California contractor. After receiving the results and determining the work necessary, the homeowner then plans the improvements with the contractor. Next, the participating contractor applies for the incentive on the customer's behalf.

"We are proud to offer this program to our customers because it rewards them for investing in their homes in order to realize long-term energy savings," said Gillian Wright, director of customer programs and assistance for SoCalGas. "We're always looking for ways to help our customers save money and help the region achieve both environmental and economic sustainability."

"LA County supports the increased rebates and incentives being offered by SoCalGas to residents. This is a great opportunity for thousands of LA residents who were not previously able to receive the same rebates and incentives as those living in the combined Southern California Edison and SoCalGas territories," said Howard Choy, General Manager of the LA County Office of Sustainability.  "We hope this added financial benefit will help residents make much needed home energy-efficiency updates to their properties."

Energy Upgrade California is a program that was created to help California reduce energy use.  This collaboration among California investor-owned utilities, counties, cities and non-profit organizations offers incentives and rebates to customers who make upgrades designed to make the energy systems in their home work together efficiently, thus lowering utility bills and improving the home's efficiency and comfort.

To learn more about the program in municipal utility territory and to find a qualified Energy Upgrade California contractor, please visit socalgas.com (search "UPGRADE") or call 1-888-871-0345.

About Southern California Gas Co.

Southern California Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 140 years.  It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 20.9 million consumers connected through nearly 5.8 million meters in more than 500 communities.  The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border.  SoCalGas is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE).

About Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County:

Energy Upgrade California Los Angeles is administered and overseen by an alliance among L.A. County, Southern California Edison, and Southern California Gas Company. Los Angeles County was one of the first counties in California to roll out this program to provide homeowners with information on home upgrade benefits, financing, incentives and home energy ratings and help with finding participating contractors. For more information on Energy Upgrade California outside the municipal territories, consumers can visit www.EnergyUpgradeCA.org/LACounty.

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.