- Company's payment plans, assistance programs and
energy-saving tips and tools can help customers manage seasonal
bills and make budgeting easier year-round
- Video: Factors that contribute to monthly
natural gas bills
- B-roll: Energy efficiency tips for natural
gas
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 7, 2025
/PRNewswire/ -- With the coming of the new year and icy
temperatures descending on the region, Piedmont Natural Gas
encourages customers to make the resolution to take control of
their energy bills in 2025 by taking advantage of the company's
tips, tools and assistance programs.
"As people think about changes they might make in the new year,
consider adding 'saving on monthly energy bills' to the list," said
Brian Weisker, senior vice president
and president of Piedmont Natural Gas. "Colder temperatures
typically lead to higher energy costs, but Piedmont has resources and programs to help
customers stay warm while avoiding higher seasonal heating bills,
as well as save money and energy all year long."
The Energy Information Administration reported in its October
Winter Fuels Outlook that the average household energy usage for
home heating will increase this winter because of colder
temperatures compared to the previous year. Higher energy
consumption related to colder temperatures is the largest
contributor to increases in the average household's home-heating
expenditures during the winter months.
A video explaining the factors that contribute to customers'
natural gas bills is available on Piedmont's website.
"Piedmont remains committed to
helping all our customers stay comfortable while managing their
energy use, which is why we offer bill management programs, payment
assistance, and energy-saving tips and tools," Weisker said.
Level out your bill with the Equal Payment Plan (EPP)
program
Piedmont's
free EPP program helps customers manage their budgets by leveling
out a customer's natural gas bills, allowing them to pay a
predictable, equal monthly amount to help avoid billing surprises.
Piedmont determines this payment
by adding up a customer's annual natural gas usage and then
dividing it into the same payment amount each month. Learn
more about the EPP program here.
Assistance for customers in need
Share the
Warmth provides funds to local agencies to assist
families with their utility bills, no matter the source of energy
they use. Contact information for approved assistance agencies
across Piedmont's service area is
available at piedmontng.com/ShareTheWarmth.
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provides
assistance to pay for natural gas, electric and other energy
sources customers use in their homes.
Piedmont says anyone in need
can apply for this and other newly available programs to see if
they qualify. For more information, go to
piedmontng.com/AssistancePrograms. For detailed federal and
state-specific information, go to
piedmontng.com/WinterBills and click on your state.
Energy-saving tips and tools
Natural gas use
typically spikes in the winter as customers combat low temperatures
to stay warm. Below are tips to help manage your energy use when
temperatures decline. B-roll of energy efficiency measures
is available here.
- Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting to
help save. Installing a smart or programmable thermostat will
reduce your energy use while you are asleep or away.
- Take advantage of sunny days. Leave drapes or
blinds open during sunny winter days to allow the sun to warm
the house. Close drapes and blinds at night to help insulate your
home, as windows can allow heat to escape.
- Change air filters regularly. A dirty air filter
makes a heating system work harder, which uses more energy.
- Manage your water heating temperature. Set your
water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or consider
installing an on-demand or tankless water heater that only heats
water when you need it.
- Seal your home. One of the quickest energy-saving
tasks you can do is caulk, seal and weatherstrip all seams, cracks
and openings to the outside. This can save 10% to 20% on your
heating and cooling bills.
- Seal air ducts. Make sure the air ducts from your
home's furnace and central air conditioner are properly sealed.
Ducts that leak into the attic or crawl space can substantially
increase your heating and cooling bills.
- Consider insulation. Consider whether you need to
add insulation to your ceilings, floors and walls. Insulation
between the indoors and outdoors reduces energy demand, saving you
money while improving the comfort of your home.
Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas, a
subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), distributes
natural gas to more than 1.2 million residential, commercial,
industrial and power generation customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Piedmont Natural Gas earned the No.
1 spot in customer satisfaction with residential natural gas
service in the South among large utilities, according to
the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Gas Utility Residential
Customer Satisfaction Study. More information:
piedmontng.com. Follow Piedmont Natural Gas:
X, Facebook.
Media contact: Jason Wheatley
Media line: 877.348.3612
jason.wheatley@duke-energy.com
X: @PNG_JasonW
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SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas