Piedmont Natural Gas offers customers ways to manage energy use and save this winter

• Company provides financial assistance options and energy-saving tips and tools to help manage seasonal bills

• Piedmont estimates its average residential customer's monthly natural gas bill will vary by region, increasing between $4 and $29 per month during the winter

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - With seasonal cold weather on the horizon, Piedmont Natural Gas is reminding customers of tips, tools and assistance programs available to help customers prepare for winter bills.

"Piedmont is here to help our customers as colder temperatures begin to drive up energy bills," said Brian Weisker, senior vice president and president of Piedmont Natural Gas. "Customers can come to us for resources that can help lower their natural gas bills this season and for assistance they may need to stay warm through the winter months."

The Energy Information Administration recently reported in its 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. Piedmont estimates its average residential customer's monthly natural gas bill will vary across Piedmont's three-state service area, increasing by approximately $4 to $29 per month during the upcoming winter period.

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.

As a natural gas distributor, Piedmont purchases natural gas at the best possible price, which is the same price it charges customers. The company closely monitors the cost of natural gas and requests adjustments to its rates throughout the year based on changing market conditions and other factors.

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 here.

"Piedmont remains committed to helping our most vulnerable customers stay warm and keep their heat on, from providing steps to take to lower their natural gas bill to helping them take advantage of the many assistance options available," Weisker added.

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 should apply for this and other newly available programs to see if they qualify. For more information, go to piedmontng.com/AssistancePrograms.

Piedmont says anyone in need should apply for this and other newly available programs to see if they qualify. 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.

• Learn how to reduce energy use. The first step to reduce energy use in your home is to identify and prioritize energy-saving improvements. This can be accomplished through a certified auditor or by performing your own energy audit.
  
• 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.
  
• 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.
  
• Install "smart" thermostats. Installing a smart or programmable thermostat will reduce your energy use while you are asleep or away. Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting to help save.
  
• Manage water heating. 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.
  
• 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, 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 2023 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
[email protected]
X: @PNG_JasonW

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