Frequently Asked Questions

TXU Energy $30,000 Power Saver Challenge Contest

Q. Do I have to switch to, or be a customer of, TXU Energy to participate in the Contest?

 A. Yes. The Power Saver Challenge is a skill Contest and all Contestants are required to be either current TXU Energy customers or consumers who become TXU Energy customers by July 25, 2008.

Q. What are the requirements to enter the Contest?

A. You must be a legal Texas resident at least 21 years old, who owns their own home and be willing to spend the $5,000 prize money on home energy improvements. You must own a single-family home that is at least five years old and is in the deregulated energy part of the state (ERCOT territory). If selected as a Finalist, you must be available for 3 business days (not consecutive) to have a video crew in your home over the course of the Contest, which is 3 months in duration. You must also agree to work with videographer’s schedule to have your home audited and videotaped.

Q. How do I enter the Contest?

A. The TXU Energy Power Saver Challenge Contest Entry (the “Contest”) starts at 12:00:01 a.m. CT on June 5, 2008 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. CT on July 25, 2008 (the "Contest Entry Period"). All persons who are currently TXU Energy customers or consumers who become new TXU Energy customers during the Contest Entry Period will have the opportunity to complete the entry form to be entered into the Contest.

TO ENTER THE CONTEST: To enter the Contest, visit www.txu.com/powersaver during the Contest Entry Period and complete the online entry form and complete a brief essay, between 50 and 500 words, on why you and your home should be considered to compete in the Power Saver Challenge Contest. Online entries must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. CT on July 25, 2008. Limit of one (1) entry per household for the Contest from all methods of entry combined.

ADDITIONAL METHODS TO ENTER: Paper entries will also be accepted at the TXU Energy booth at the Dallas CityArts Celebration, to be held June 13-15, 2008 in downtown Dallas. To find out more about Dallas CityArts go to: www.txu.com/cityarts.

Q. How many Contestants will be selected for the Contest?

A. There will be 15 Semi-Finalists. From those 15 Semi-Finalists three Finalists will be chosen. Semi-Finalists not chosen for the Contest will each receive $100 in TXU Energy bill credits toward their electricity bill.

Q. How will the Semi-Finalists be selected?

A. A panel of qualified judges from TXU Energy, PRISM Marketing Partners, and TexEnergy Solutions will select fifteen (15) Semi-Finalists, five from each deregulated zone.   The zones are defined as the following: Zone 1 is Oncor Service Area; Zone 2 is CenterPoint Service Area; and Zone 3 is AEP Central, AEP North and TNMP Service Areas.

Semi-Finalists for the Power Saver Challenge will be judged from all eligible entries received.  Entries will be judged on (1) appropriateness of the energy savings essay to the theme (50%), (2) originality and enthusiasm (25%), and (3) ingenuity and creativity (25%).  Judge’s decisions are final.  Semi-Finalists will be notified by e-mail or by phone on or about July 31, 2008. In the case of a tie, Prism Marketing Partners will make the final decision.

Q. Where can I read the Official Rules?

A. The full Official Rules may be found at www.txu.com/powersaver

Q. What are the prizes that you are giving away?

A. Twelve (12) Semi-Finalists will win $100 (one hundred) dollars in TXU Energy bill credits for electricity use in their home.  The Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of this prize is $100. 

Three (3) Finalist Contestants will each receive $5,000 dollars which is to be spent on energy improvements during the Finalist Contest, a free in-home energy audit and a High-Definition video camcorder (ARV: $1,000). The Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of each Finalist Prize is $6,500. 

Additionally one (1) Finalist will become the Grand Prize Winner and will receive $30,000 cash.

Q. How many times may I enter?

A. Only one entry per household is allowed.

Q. What is the timing of the Contest entry?

A. The Contest begins at 12:00:01 a.m. CT on June 5, 2008 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. CT on July 25, 2008.

Q. What is the timing of the Finalist Contest of the Power Saver Challenge?

A. The 3 Finalists will be competing to win the $30,000 Grand Prize beginning on or about August 11, 2008 and conclude on or about October 6, 2008.

Q. Who is eligible to enter?

A. The Contest is open to legal residents of Texas who are at least 21 years old, who own their own home and are willing to spend the $5,000 prize money on home energy improvements. You must own a single-family home that is at least five years old and is in the deregulated energy part of the state (ERCOT territory).

Employees, officers, directors, agents, vendors and representatives of TXU Energy Retail Company LLC, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates and advertising/promotion agencies involved with this promotion and the immediate families (spouse, siblings, parents, children and their respective spouses) and household members of such persons are not eligible to enter.

Q. How and when will the Grand Prize Winner be chosen?

A. The Grand Prize Winner will be selected based on the following judging criteria: (1) Improvement in HERS (Home Energy Rater System) Index based upon pre and post audits (40%), (2) Web voting winner (20%), (3) Ingenuity and problem solving (20%) and (4) energy-saving behavior changes (20%). The Grand Prize Winner will be announced on or about November 17, 2008.

Q. Do I need to be present to win?

A. No. Potential winners will be notified by telephone or email within approximately five business days of conclusion of the Contest judging. Potential winners will be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility and a liability / publicity release to receive their prize, or prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be selected.

Q. Can I give or transfer my position as a Semi-Finalist or Finalist to my friends or family?

A. No. Only selected household entries will be allowed to compete in the Power Saver Challenge.

Q. Will there be taxes for the prizes?