With the Carolinas facing an extended period of freezing temperatures and potential snowfall, Piedmont Natural Gas is advising customers on ways to manage energy usage and control heating costs. The company notes that increased energy use during colder weather is the main reason for higher winter heating bills.
Piedmont Natural Gas recommends several steps to help customers save energy and money. These include setting thermostats to the lowest comfortable level, using smart or programmable thermostats to reduce energy use when away or asleep, and taking advantage of sunlight by keeping drapes open during sunny days and closed at night. Customers are also encouraged to change air filters regularly, set water heater temperatures to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, seal their homes against drafts, and run ceiling fans clockwise to circulate warm air.
To help customers track their natural gas usage, Piedmont offers online tools such as monthly usage history, an Energy Advisor for personalized efficiency recommendations, and calculators for estimating annual costs related to water heating, cooking, and clothes drying. A video explaining factors that affect natural gas bills is available on the company’s website.
For those concerned about fluctuating bills during the winter months, Piedmont provides a free Equal Payment Plan (EPP) program. This plan allows customers to pay a consistent monthly amount based on their annual natural gas usage in order to avoid unexpected billing spikes. More information about this program can be found at piedmontng.com.
Financial assistance options are also available. The Share the Warmth program distributes funds through local agencies to help families with utility bills regardless of their energy source. Details about participating agencies can be found at piedmontng.com/ShareTheWarmth. Additionally, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers support for paying home energy costs including natural gas and electricity. Customers interested in these or other programs can visit piedmontng.com/AssistancePrograms for more information or check state-specific resources at piedmontng.com/WinterBills.
Piedmont Natural Gas serves over 1.2 million residential, commercial, industrial, and power generation customers across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee as a subsidiary of Duke Energy.
“Anyone in need can apply for this and other newly available programs to see if they qualify,” according to Piedmont Natural Gas.
