Purposeful Planning and Lower Natural Gas Prices Continue to Benefit Customers
INDIANAPOLIS – Citizens Energy Group projects that monthly natural gas heating bills will decrease on average about $14 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 $416, compared to $430 last winter and $546 the winter before.
Citizens’ average residential natural gas bill consistently ranks among the lowest of the 19 gas utilities operating in the state, according to monthly surveys done by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. While costs for many goods and services have increased in recent years, Citizens’ average residential natural gas bill has been stable. Measured over the past two decades, average natural gas bills for Citizens’ residential customers have even decreased, offsetting other household inflationary pressures.
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.
“Citizens continues to reduce natural gas bills through efforts such as maximizing our 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. This forward-thinking approach to planning directly benefits our customers,” said Jeffrey Harrison, Citizens President & CEO. “However, with thousands of households in Central Indiana living in – or one emergency away from – poverty, many of our customers will need financial assistance to help them keep up with their utility bills.”
Assistance Is Available for Customers In Need
Customers in need of financial assistance should check their eligibility for the Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP), which opened on October 1. Through Citizens’ Universal Service Program, customers who qualify for EAP automatically receive a discount on their gas bill ranging from 10 to 25 percent. EAP-qualified customers also receive assistance through Citizens' Low-Income Customer Assistance Program (LICAP) that helps lower wastewater bills.
Customers who need help keeping up with their utility bills are urged to visit www.citizensenergygroup.com/Help or 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. The United Way of Central Indiana’s Winter Assistance Fund (WAF) also may be available for customers whose incomes disqualify them for EAP but who still demonstrate need (WAF applications open on January 1).
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.
- Take advantage of sunshine. Open draperies and blinds to let the sun's warmth in. Close them at night to insulate against the cold air outside.
- 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.
- Make your thermostat work for you. Turn down thermostats automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.
- 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