As colder temperatures are expected to arrive in the Southeast, Piedmont Natural Gas is advising customers on how to reduce energy use and manage seasonal bills. The company, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, supplies natural gas to more than 1.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Piedmont suggests several measures for households to save energy without reducing comfort. Customers are encouraged to set thermostats to the lowest comfortable setting and consider installing smart or programmable thermostats. Letting sunlight warm homes during the day by keeping drapes open and closing them at night can help with insulation. Regularly changing air filters is also recommended, as dirty filters make heating systems work harder.
Other tips include setting water heater temperatures to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or using tankless water heaters that only heat water when needed. Sealing gaps in homes with caulk or weatherstripping may result in savings of up to 20% on heating and cooling costs. Setting ceiling fans to operate clockwise helps circulate warm air downward.
To help customers track their usage and identify savings opportunities, Piedmont offers online tools such as gas usage history reports and an Energy Advisor service based on personalized home data. Calculators for estimating annual costs of water heating, cooking, and clothes drying are also available.
A video explaining factors affecting natural gas bills can be found on Piedmont’s website.
The company’s Equal Payment Plan (EPP) program allows customers to pay a consistent monthly amount by averaging their annual natural gas use over twelve months: “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.”
Financial assistance programs are also available for those struggling with utility bills. The Share the Warmth initiative provides funds through local agencies regardless of energy source used: “Share the Warmth provides funds to local agencies to assist families with their utility bills, no matter the source of energy they use.” Additionally, federal programs like LIHEAP offer support for home energy costs: “The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance to pay for natural gas, electric and other energy sources customers use in their homes.”
Customers seeking more information about these programs or eligibility requirements can visit piedmontng.com/AssistancePrograms or access state-specific details at piedmontng.com/WinterBills.
Jason Wheatley serves as media contact for further inquiries regarding these initiatives.
