As colder temperatures are expected to arrive in the Southeast this weekend and into next week, Piedmont Natural Gas has released a set of recommendations to help customers manage higher heating costs. The company suggests several steps that can help reduce energy use while maintaining comfort at home.
Among the tips provided are setting thermostats to the lowest comfortable temperature, using smart or programmable thermostats to cut down on energy when asleep or away, and taking advantage of sunlight during the day by keeping drapes open. At night, closing drapes helps keep warmth inside. Regularly changing air filters is also recommended, as clogged filters make heating systems less efficient.
Piedmont advises setting water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and considering tankless models for further savings. Sealing cracks and openings around the house with caulk or weatherstripping can result in significant reductions in heating bills—potentially saving between 10% and 20%. Ceiling fans should be run clockwise during winter months to push warm air downward.
To assist customers in monitoring their natural gas consumption, Piedmont offers online tools such as usage history reports, an Energy Advisor for personalized efficiency suggestions, and calculators for estimating annual costs related to water heating, cooking, and clothes drying.
A video explaining factors influencing natural gas bills is available on Piedmont’s website. Customers interested in more predictable billing may enroll in the Equal Payment Plan (EPP), which averages annual usage into equal monthly payments.
Financial assistance programs are also highlighted. The Share the Warmth initiative distributes funds through local agencies to help families with utility bills regardless of their energy source. Additional support is available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). More information about these programs can be found at piedmontng.com/AssistancePrograms and piedmontng.com/WinterBills.
Piedmont Natural Gas serves over 1.2 million customers across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee as a subsidiary of Duke Energy.
“Share the Warmth provides funds to local agencies to assist families with their utility bills, no matter the source of energy they use,” according to Piedmont Natural Gas.
