GE GeoSpring™ Cruises into Spring with Marketing Momentum

The GE GeoSpring™ hybrid water heater has already achieved many firsts since its introduction in November 2009. It was the first heat pump water heater to be ENERGY STAR® rated. It was singled out as first in its class by Popular Science with a Best of What’s New Award. And as a result of its new television ad debut during the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the GeoSpring hybrid water heater may very well be the first major household appliance to be promoted with the help of snow monkeys.

Capitalizing on the global audience who tuned in for the Olympics, the GeoSpring has hit the road — literally — as part of an educational truck tour. The tour kicked off in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 20 and is now traveling throughout the southeast United States through August. The bright green truck is stopping at Lowe’s and Sears stores along the way, and consumers will be able to get up close with the water heater, learning its features and getting a chance to win instant prizes. Plumbing and Heating Expert Richard Trethewey from "Ask This Old House” met visitors at the initial stop in Tampa. A full list of cities and approximate timing on the GeoSpring hybrid truck tour is available at: http://www.geappliances.com/heat-pump-hot-water-heater/truck-tour-schedule/.

"This is a chance for consumers throughout the country to learn about one of our most innovative products," says Paul Klein, General Manager, Brand and Advertising. "By educating them about its energy-efficiency and cost-savings, we will empower consumers with information about water heating so they can make an educated purchasing decision."

The GeoSpring hybrid water heater uses heat pump technology to reduce energy expenses up to 62%, saving homeowners as much as $320 annually on energy bills.* For more information about the GeoSpring hybrid water heater, go to http://www.geappliances.com/geospring.

The GeoSpring hybrid water heater was first introduced to the world via a light-hearted commercial staring a delightful troop of snow monkeys and a steamy hot spring. According to Klein: "The new GeoSpring ad campaign uses humor to introduce consumers to what is a life-changing appliance. The GeoSpring™ hybrid water heater gives consumers the opportunity, really for the first time, to have near total control over how much energy they use to heat water for the home.”

Some of the other educational activities GE – Appliances has used to introduce consumers to GeoSpring include a profile on the nationally syndicated radio program, The Gary Sullivan Show during the 2010 International Builders’ Show and an hour-long Q&A featuring some of GE’s water heater experts in February. GE – Appliances will run 30-second commercials promoting the GeoSpring on the weekly radio show through July.

Additionally, the new GeoSpring was featured on "Ask This Old House” in February to further introduce the product to consumers.

* Based on DOE test procedure and comparison of a 50–gallon standard electric tank water heater using 4881 kWh per year vs. the GE Hybrid water heater using 1856 kWh per year, and national average of 10.65 cents per kWh

About GE – Appliances & Lighting

GE – Appliances & Lighting spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliances, lighting, systems and services. Providing solutions for commercial, industrial and residential use, GE – Appliances & Lighting uses innovative technologies and ecomagination^SM, a GE initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that help customers and consumers meet pressing environmental challenges, to deliver comfort and convenience. General Electric (NYSE: GE), imagination at work, sells products under the Monogram®, Profile™, GE®, Hotpoint®, Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Tetra®, Vio™ and Immersion® commercial brands. For more information, consumers may visit www.ge.com

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