Press Release

Con Edison Offers Energy-Savings Tips

NEW YORK, July 17 -- Staying cool doesn't mean spending a lot of money. In fact, you can save on your electric bill by following Con Edison's tips to use energy wisely.

    The company recommends that customers take the following steps:

    * Accept Con Edison's offer of a free programmable thermostat for
      homeowners, religious institutions and small businesses with central
      air conditioning. After the thermostat is installed, you'll receive a
      thank-you gift card of $25. You'll be able to keep your home cool while
      using energy efficiently. You can program the thermostat manually or
      from the Internet -- turning off your air conditioner when you're not
      home, and turning it on before you get home. Both are wise ways to save
      on your summer electric bills.

    * Turn off air conditioners, lights and other appliances when not at home
      and use a timer to turn on your air conditioner about a half-hour before
      arriving home;

    * Make sure air conditioner filters are clean so the machines will run at
      peak efficiency;

    * Set thermostats no lower than 78 degrees.  Each degree lower increases
      cooling costs by 6 percent;

    * If you have a room air-conditioning unit, close off the rooms not being
      used; if you have central air, block the vents in un-used or vacant
      rooms;

    * To reduce heat and moisture in your apartment or home, run appliances
      such as ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers in the early
      morning or late at night when it's generally cooler outside. Use a
      microwave to cook, or barbecue outside, if possible;

    * Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed.  About 40 percent of unwanted
      heat comes through windows. Simply drawing blinds and curtains, which
      act as a layer of insulation, can reduce heat in your apartment or home,
      and

    * Try using fans instead of air conditioners, but be sure to leave your
      windows open for ventilation.  Fans use as little as one-tenth the
      energy as air conditioners.

For more energy savings tips and general information, customers can visit the Con Edison website at www.coned.com or contact the company at 1-800-75-CONED. To learn more about Con Edison's free programmable thermostat, call 1-866-521-8600 or visit www.coned.com/cool.

Electric supplies are sufficient to meet the projected demand for electricity this week, and company crews are ready to respond to any power outage that may occur. If any customers do experience an outage, they should:

    * Contact the company by calling the 24-hour, toll-free number at
      1-800-75-CONED.

    * Have your home telephone number and home address readily available.

    * Know that the Con Edison workforce will work around the clock to quickly
      restore power.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with $12 billion in annual revenues and $25 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. For additional financial, operations and customer service information, visit Con Edison's Web site at www.coned.com.

SOURCE Con Edison -0- 07/17/2006 /CONTACT: Michael Clendenin, +1-212-460-4111/