Lower Natural Gas Prices and Savvy Planning Benefit Customers
INDIANAPOLIS – Citizens Energy Group today projects that monthly natural gas heating bills will decrease on average about $17 for the five-month winter heating season. Assuming temperatures are normal, Citizens estimates that the total average natural gas bill for the November through March heating season will be about $462, compared to $546 last winter.
Citizens’ average residential natural gas bill over the past year ranked the lowest among the 19 gas utilities operating in the state, according to a monthly survey done by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. In addition to passing on the cost of natural gas to customers with no markup, Citizens employs a number of measures to keep costs down. These measures include utilizing its underground natural gas storage fields, buying gas in advance of the winter at fixed prices, and entering into long-term gas supply contracts with discounts to market prices.
“Citizens knows that despite the good news of lower natural gas bills, many customers will still need financial assistance this home-heating season. As always, we are here for our customers to link them with the resources they need,” said Jeffrey Harrison, Citizens President & CEO.
Assistance Is Available for Customers In Need
On Saturday, October 21, Citizens is hosting a Community Resource Day featuring community organizations, local businesses, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and much more, with one goal in mind: connecting our Central Indiana neighbors to the resources they need to thrive. Click here for details.
In addition, customers in need of energy assistance should check their eligibility for the Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP). Through Citizens’ Universal Service Program, customers who qualify for EAP also will automatically receive a discount on their gas bill ranging from 10-25 percent. EAP eligible customers can also qualify for the utility’s Low-Income Customer Assistance Program (LICAP) that helps lower wastewater bills.
If customers are falling behind on their bill, they are urged to call Citizens at (317) 924-3311. In addition to grants from the Warm Heart Warm Home Foundation™, they may be eligible to establish flexible payment arrangements to assist them in catching up on past due bills.
One of the best ways to reduce the cost of utility bills is by conserving energy, which you can do by taking the following steps:
- Change or clean your furnace filter once per month, or as recommended by the manufacturer, during the home-heating season. Furnaces consume less energy if they “breathe” more easily. Use receipt of your natural gas bill as a reminder.
- Set your water heater temperature at 120 degrees. A family of four, each showering for five minutes per day, uses 350 gallons of water each week. By lowering the thermostat on the water heater to 120 degrees, families can reduce water heating bills without sacrificing comfort.
- Reduce air leaks. This can cut as much as 10 percent from an average household's monthly energy bill. Seal leaks around doors, windows, and other openings such as pipes or ducts, with caulk or weather-stripping.
- Replace old, outdated appliances with high-efficiency natural gas models. When buying new appliances, compare energy efficiency ratings and annual operating costs.
About Citizens Energy Group
Citizens Energy Group provides safe and reliable utility services to about 900,000 people in the Indianapolis area. Citizens operates its utilities for the benefit of customers and the community.
Media Contact Information
Laura O'Brien
Phone: 317-519-1515
Email: media@citizensenergygroup.com