Campaign aims to help Mainers save a `bundle’> King films commercial promoting conservation

AUGUSTA – Gov. Angus King has a featured role in a public service announcement that shows dollar bills blowing out a window.

The television spot, filmed Monday at a home in Hallowell, delivers a simple message: A drafty house can eat up a lot of money.

“CMP is setting up the ad for us,” said state economist Laurie LaChance. She said it’s part of the BundleUp program that seeks to renew interest in energy conservation and make the coming heating season safe for everyone.

As cold weather approaches, oil dealers, electric utilities, nonprofit organizations and government agencies are teaming up to tighten up homes and apartments.

At King’s request, the various participants formed a working group earlier this fall to acquaint Maine residents with ways to save on winter heating bills. Since then, a Web site has been developed, brochures printed and distributed, and a toll-free telephone line activated (1-866-HEATTIP).

The group has printed 300,000 copies of a brochure offering money-saving tips for winter. Oil delivery companies, working with the Maine Oil Dealers Association, are leaving the pamphlets with customers when their tanks are filled.

“That’s saving us $78,000 in postage costs,” said LaChance.

The Maine Municipal Association, a nongovernment agency that counts more than 500 cities and towns as members, also is mailing brochures and letters to local municipal officials.

The Web site, www.bundlemeup.org, was built by designers at the Maine State Housing Authority. Pages and links recommend ways to retain heat by caulking windows, applying weather stripping and wrapping electric hot water heaters with fiberglass blankets.

CMP is giving away water heater wraps that ordinarily cost $5, $10 if installed.

One of the simplest ways to save money is to turn down the thermostat.

“For every degree that you turn it down, there’s a 3 percent savings on your heating bill,” said LaChance, the group’s co-chairman with Greg Nadeau of the Governor’s Office.