In The News

PGW Offers Free Money Saving Smart Thermostats For a Limited Time to Low-Income Customers

A new PGW EnergySense program makes energy conservation easy and convenient

PHILADELPHIA (March 8, 2022) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is offering income-eligible customers free smart thermostats for a limited time as a convenient way to lower their home energy costs, maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, and take more control of their energy usage. Customers may request a complimentary thermostat – which PGW will install at no charge – by visiting PGW’s EnergySense Low-Income Smart Thermostats website or by calling 833-596-3075.

The ENERGY STAR®-certified Wi-Fi enabled thermostats are equipped with technologically advanced features that:

• Monitor and control home temperatures remotely through a smart device.  
• Learn customers’ usage patterns to heat and cool homes.
• Reduce heating and cooling system usage when customers leave or return home.
• Track energy usage changes over time and gauge the potential impact on energy bills.
• Alert customers to heating or cooling issues.

The thermostats are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and are available to homeowners and renters (with landlord approval). Customers unable to receive a thermostat after supply is exhausted can be placed on a waitlist for September 2022 by calling 833-596-3075.

“PGW’s EnergySense Low Income Smart Thermostat program could have a real impact on lowering a customer’s monthly bill,” said Steven J. Jerue, director of customer programs at PGW. “Once a smart thermostat is installed and programmed, the customer will have a worry-free way to conserve energy all year round and save money. We encourage our customers to take advantage of this free opportunity.”   

In addition to the free Low Income Smart Thermostats program, PGW’s EnergySense Marketplace offers a wide selection of smart and programmable thermostats for purchase with an instant $70 rebate.

PGW’s EnergySense also offers rebates of up to $1,300 for customers who install high-efficiency heating and hot water heating equipment that maintain home comfort while using less natural gas. The new, affordable EnergySense incentives offer income-qualifying customers rebates up to $1,800.

For more information on PGW’s money and energy saving programs, visit pgworks.com/customer-care/efficiency. 

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PGW Files Request for Gas Cost Decrease

PHILADELPHIA (March 1, 2022) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) filed a request today with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to adjust the Gas Cost Rate (GCR)for residential customers from $5.6123 to $5.6048 per one thousand cubic feet (Mcf).If approved, the new GCR would be effective September 1, 2022. The typical monthly bill would decrease from $118.95 to $118.90 for residential customers using 78 thousand cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas per year.

The GCR reflects the cost of natural gas that PGW purchases from its gas suppliers and does not include a profit margin. The rate is recalculated on a quarterly basis (March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1) to show PGW’s actual costs. Customers are then notified of GCR adjustments through messaging on their bills.

PGW’s residential natural gas rates are determined by:

• Supply charge: the amount of a customer’s gas usage and what PGW pays for the gas, which is passed on to the customer without change.
• Delivery charge: the costs of delivering natural gas to residences, maintaining distribution systems, and other services.

For more information about PGW’s GCR filing, visit pgworks.com.

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PGW Participates in Microgrid Competition for Area College Students

Competition kicks off National Engineers Week at
PGW by recognizing the achievements of local engineers

PHILADELPHIA (February 21, 2022) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is joining Temple University, College of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; and Burns Engineering Inc, in launching Innovate the Future: Collegiate Microgrid Design Competition.

The competition calls for the design and development of portable microgrids providing uninterrupted power for urban and remote communities. Innovate the Future is open to teams of Philadelphia-area senior undergraduate or graduate-level students.

The competition will occur over two phases:

• The “Theoretical Design” phase (from February 2022 to August 2022): student teams will develop software designs of optimized portable microgrids. Six teams will be selected, based on their designs, to receive $200 each and participate in Phase 2;  and
• The “Practical Implementation” phase (from October 2022 to September 2023): The six finalist teams will implement their designs. Three winning teams will be selected to receive $500 each.

The microgrid competition corresponds with National Engineers Week 2022 (Feb. 20 - 26) and its theme of “Reimagining the Possible,” which includes a call to “engage students in engineering.” 

Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) in 1951, National Engineers Week promotes a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of, and interest in engineering and technology careers. During the week, NPSE will celebrate how engineers make a difference in the world; encourage conversations about the need for engineers, technicians, and technologists; and recognize how engineers create new possibilities.

In addition to aligning with Engineers Week objectives through the microgrid competition, PGW celebrates the valuable contributions of its employee engineers who:

• Manage complex software and hardware systems that allow PGW field operations and gas processing employees to monitor and control the critical equipment (valves, motors, and pumps) needed to distribute and store natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). 
• Build and manage a Geographic Information System (GIS) to assess infrastructure and optimize field operations.
• Design natural gas mains to renew over 35 miles of underground pipelines annually as part of PGW’s Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Program to improve safety and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
• Implement technology and strategies for PGW’s methane reduction efforts to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050.

For more information about National Engineering week, visit nspe.org/resources/partners-and-state-societies/engineers-week.

To discover engineering employment opportunities at Philadelphia Gas Works, visit pgworks.com/careers/employment-opportunities.

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