Consumers want utility option but won't use it.

WASHINGTON -- The bad news is that most consumers want electric utilities to offer hvac services. The good new is that most would end up calling a contractor anyway.

According to a national survey of 1,000 residential electric customers, 67% want electric utilities to offer warranties and service plans for hvac equipment. Nevertheless, 47% of customers say they would call a contractor for hvac service. Only 7% say they would be "extremely likely" to choose the utility.

The Edison Electric Institute, the trade group for investor-owned utilities, conducted the