Progress Energy Offers Ways to Combat High Bills
RALEIGH—Heating systems in the Carolinas worked overtime to keep homes and businesses warm during a colder-than-average December. And even as Progress Energy lowered rates in December, the higher electricity usage will be reflected in many Progress Energy Carolinas customers’ bills in the coming weeks. Like other utilities, Proress Energy offers a number of programs and efficiency tips to help take the sting out of high power bills and to help customers struggling financially.
Equal Payment Plan
Sometimes called “level billing,” the Equal payment Plan spreads the customer’s annual cost for electricity 12 equal monthly payments. While there is no cost savings with this option, the Equal Payment Plan helps customers budget. Just like rent or a car payment, the monthly bill is the same in January as it is in May.
Energy Neighbor Fund
The Energy Neighbor Fund helps provide assistance to Progress Energy
customers in need. The fund helps customers pay home energy bills,
whether the homes are all-electric or use gas, coal, oil, wood, or
kerosene. Contributions to the fund come from employees, customers, and
organizations, and are matched up to $1 million annually by
contributions from the Progress Energy Foundation. Funds are distributed
through local social service agencies.
Since its inception in 1982, the Energy Neighbor Fund has
provided more than $21 million in assistance to families across the
Carolinas. Foundation contributions come from shareholder funds and do
not affect customer rates.
Flexible ways to manage your bill
Progress Energy provides a variety of ways for customers to manage
their energy bills. They can view bills and make payments at
www.progress-energy.com, or pay at a number of conveniently located pay
stations available across the Carolinas.
Protecting our customers
Customers who want more information on payment programs, or those
who anticipate difficulty paying their energy bill, are encouraged to
contact the Progress Energy Customer Service Center at (800) 452-2777.
Representatives will help customers prioritize payments and arrange
payment options to keep their accounts in good standing. Anyone needing
help with payments should contact the Customer Service Center as soon as
possible to maximize available assistance and avoid disconnection.
Easy ways to save this winter
Saving energy doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Here are some easy cold-weather tips to help you keep energy costs down:
Keep the thermostat on your heating system at the lowest
comfortable setting. Progress Energy recommends a setting of 68 to 70 F
during the day and 60 to 65 F at night.
Check filters at least monthly and clean or change them as
needed. Dirty filters can increase operating costs by 20 percent and can
damage equipment.
Use insulated or heavy curtains on windows facing the north side
of the house. Keep curtains and shades closed at night and on cloudy
days.
Caulk any space around windows and other places where air leaks to prevent cold drafts and heat escape.
If your home has a fireplace, be sure the damper fits tightly,
and close it when the fireplace is not in use. Add a glass fireplace
screen.
Use microwave ovens whenever possible. They use less than half the power of a conventional oven.
Whenever possible, wash full loads in the dishwasher and clothes washing machine, rather than partial loads.
Take short showers instead of tub baths and install a flow restrictor or energy-saving shower head.
