Piedmont Natural Gas has issued advice to help customers manage their energy use and costs as colder weather is expected across the Southeast. The company says heating systems will likely work harder in the coming days, leading to increased energy consumption.
The company recommends several steps for saving energy without sacrificing comfort. Customers are advised to set thermostats to the lowest comfortable setting and consider installing smart or programmable thermostats. Piedmont also suggests taking advantage of sunlight during the day by keeping drapes or blinds open, and closing them at night to reduce heat loss. Regularly changing air filters can improve heating system efficiency, while sealing cracks and openings in the home may reduce heating bills by 10% to 20%. Other tips include setting water heater temperatures to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and running ceiling fans clockwise to circulate warm air.
Piedmont offers tools for customers who want more information about their natural gas usage. These include an online account feature showing monthly usage history, an Energy Advisor tool that assesses home efficiency, and calculators for estimating annual costs of water heating, cooking, and clothes drying.
A video explaining factors that influence natural gas bills is available on Piedmont’s website.
To help with budgeting during colder months, Piedmont highlights its Equal Payment Plan (EPP) program. According to the company: “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.” More details about this program are available on their website.
For those needing financial assistance with utility bills, Piedmont points out programs such as Share the Warmth—which provides funds through local agencies—and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Information on how to apply for these programs can be found at piedmontng.com/AssistancePrograms or piedmontng.com/WinterBills.
Piedmont Natural Gas serves over 1.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee as a subsidiary of Duke Energy. More information is available at piedmontng.com.
