With the Carolinas facing an extended period of freezing temperatures and potential snowfall, Piedmont Natural Gas is advising customers on ways to manage their energy usage and costs during this cold spell. The company highlights that increased energy use from heating systems is a primary reason for higher winter bills.
Piedmont Natural Gas recommends several steps to save energy and reduce costs. These include setting thermostats to the lowest comfortable level, using smart or programmable thermostats, opening drapes during sunny days to naturally warm homes, and closing them at night for insulation. Regularly changing air filters, sealing cracks and openings in homes, managing water heater settings, and running ceiling fans clockwise are also suggested as effective measures.
Customers can access tools through Piedmont’s online portal to monitor their gas usage history by month, which can help identify patterns and opportunities for savings. Additional resources such as the Energy Advisor tool and calculators for estimating annual costs of water heating, cooking, and clothes drying are available on the company’s website.
To assist with budgeting during high-usage months, Piedmont offers its Equal Payment Plan (EPP), which allows customers to pay a consistent monthly amount based on their average annual usage. This program aims to help households avoid unexpected billing fluctuations. More details about EPP can be found here.
Financial assistance options are also available. The Share the Warmth program provides funds through local agencies to help families with utility bills regardless of their energy source. Information about participating agencies is listed at piedmontng.com/ShareTheWarmth. Additionally, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers support for paying natural gas and other home energy bills. Customers are encouraged to apply for these programs if they need help; more information is provided at piedmontng.com/AssistancePrograms.
Piedmont Natural Gas serves over 1.2 million customers across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee as a subsidiary of Duke Energy.
“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.”
