Florida Power & Light Company today announced it has reached a record 4 million customer accounts in Florida with the connection of a BuildSmart home in Palm Beach County. A special gift was presented today during a ceremony at the home of Daphne and Roy Williams of The Village of Royal Palm Beach.

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"We are extremely pleased to have an energy-efficient home that's certified under the BuildSmart program," said Daphne Williams. "We had no idea we would be recognized as the company's 4 millionth customer as well," she said.

FPL emphasizes its commitment to provide safe, reliable electric service at a reasonable cost. The company encourages its 4 million customers to participate in FPL's energy conservation programs, like BuildSmart. This energy conservation initiative is available to customers building their own homes and participating builders who construct new homes to the program's standards. BuildSmart energy experts evaluate the efficiency of homes based on the State of Florida Energy Performance Index (EPI) and award certifications to homes that are progressively more efficient than the state requirements.

Homes constructed to BuildSmart standards of energy efficiency can be up to 30 percent more energy efficient than a home not constructed to the program's standards. "Residents of BuildSmart homes have the advantage of lower electric bills due to the home's energy-efficient features. BuildSmart may also increase the resale value of the home," said Bill Hamilton, vice president of customer service and marketing for FPL.

Over the past two decades energy conservation programs have helped customers reduce overall energy use by 3,200 megawatts, kept electric bills down and reduced the need to build as many as nine additional power plants while maintaining a 20 percent reserve margin. Other energy conservation programs offered by FPL include free, home-energy and Online Home Energy Surveys, and low-cost air conditioning duct tests. In addition, the company offers direct money-saving incentives for upgrades to home ceiling insulation, adding energy-efficient air conditioning systems and duct repair.

"Because we work closely with FPL's BuildSmart representatives we know all through the process that the home will meet or exceed the program's standards," said Wally Sanger, owner of Royal Professional Builders.

FPL customers can visit the company's Web site at http://www.fpl.com/. Customers without Internet access may call 1-800-DIAL-FPL for detailed information on free programs, services, and energy conservation information.

FPL Group, with annual revenues of more than $8 billion, is nationally known as a high quality, efficient, and customer-driven organization, focused on energy-related products and services. With a growing presence in more than 15 states, it is widely recognized as one of the country's premier power companies. Its principal subsidiary, Florida Power & Light Company, serves 4 million customer accounts in Florida. FPL Energy, LLC, an FPL Group energy- generating subsidiary is a leader in producing electricity from clean and renewable fuels. FPL FiberNet, LLC is a provider of fiber-optic networks in Florida. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.fplgroup.com/, http://www.fpl.com/, http://www.fplenergy.com/ and http://www.fplfibernet.com/.

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SOURCE: Florida Power & Light Company