FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                           

CONTACT:
Pamela Fink                                          Amanda Hargrove
203 356 1318 ext. 7454                        212 279 3115 ext. 224
pfink@mxenergy.com                            ahargrove@cjpcom.com

MAJORITY OF AMERICANS CONCERNED AND CONFUSED ABOUT ENERGY BILLS; FEEL THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHAT THEY PAY

According to MXenergy poll, 70 percent of homeowners are concerned about home energy costs, but less than one-third understand how prices are set

Stamford, Conn., Apr. 17, 2007 – Nearly three-quarters of American homeowners are concerned that home energy costs will strain their household finances over the next year, according to a survey conducted by Impulse Research for MxEnergy Inc. (“MXenergy”).  And while energy costs are very top-of-mind and of great concern to Americans, the research found that only 30 percent have come to understand how home energy prices are set, and a whopping 90 percent feel they have limited or no control over their home energy costs.

The themes of confusion and lack of control were common threads in the survey findings.  For example, less than one-quarter of respondents said they completely understood the different sections of their energy bill. 

And, despite being mandated in several states and local utility districts, energy deregulation is neither understood nor even heard of by 60 percent of homeowners surveyed.

“This study shows that consumers sense a real loss of control when it comes to managing their energy bills,” said MXenergy President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Mayer. “The extreme volatility we’ve seen in energy prices in recent years is likely to continue, so it’s important that consumers understand the steps they can take to keep costs under control.”

Ninety percent of respondents reported making lifestyle changes in the past year due to higher energy prices, such as using efficient florescent light bulbs and turning off electronic equipment when leaving a room.  More than one-third reported that they have cut back spending in other areas to offset high home energy costs.

“It is wonderful to see that consumers are making changes in their energy habits that also happen to be good for the environment,” continued Mayer.  “We urge all homeowners to evaluate whether they are taking full advantage of all opportunities to manage their home energy costs.  We’re trying to make a somewhat perplexing topic a little more consumer-friendly.”

Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted online in March 2007 with a random sample of 1,000 U.S. homeowners who are members of the CyberPulseTM Advisory Panel.  The Advisory Panel has been carefully selected to match U.S. population demographics.  The overall sampling error for this survey is +/-3% at the 95% level of confidence. 

About MXenergy

MXenergy is one of the fastest growing retail natural gas suppliers in the country, serving approximately 500,000 customers in 30 utility territories in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1999 to provide natural gas and electricity to consumers in deregulated energy markets, MXenergy helps residential customers and small- and mid-market business owners control their energy bills by providing both fixed and variable rate plans.  For more information, contact MXenergy customer care at 800.456.0565 or online at www.mxenergy.com.

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