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With more than a dozen Neighborhood Energy Centers across the City,
PGW is meeting customers where they live and work
PHILADELPHIA, PA (November 30, 2022) — As winter approaches, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) reminds customers they can visit local Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) Neighborhood Energy Centers (NECs) to speak one-on-one with PGW-trained Energy Counselors about their accounts and how to better afford home heating bills. NECs also offer a range of support services, from bill payment assistance and applying for LIHEAP grants to respond to the cost of household energy, to educational workshops, conservation services, and more.
PGW’s partnership with NECs offers Philadelphia customers more in-person locations with more convenient hours to apply for various PGW payment assistance programs, learn energy-saving tips to help lower monthly bills, and participate in virtual counseling sessions.
The ECA has operated NECs since 1984, serving Philadelphians in more than a dozen locations, primarily in underrepresented areas and in vulnerable communities.
“PGW is doing everything we can to meet our customers where they are and increase access to our robust energy saving programs and services. The NECs are just a short trip away for those who may lack transportation or have challenges traveling throughout the city,” said Nyisha Chapman, PGW Community Partnerships Manager.
“Our PGW-trained Energy Counselors help customers set up their PGW My Account, connect them to income-based payment assistance programs, and advise on budgeting, among other services. With many locations and convenient hours of operation, NECs help our customers with any utility issues they may have. With cold weather coming, customers will be using more natural gas to heat their homes. We encourage them to visit a NEC for payment assistance information and ways to save on their bills,” said Chapman.
Many NECs are hosted in partnership with trusted community organizations in existing locations already known to residents, such as the Nicetown CDC, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, and Greater Philadelphia Asian Social Services (GPASS).
“Our 16 Neighborhood Energy Centers are strategically located throughout the Philadelphia area as a first point of contact to help income-eligible households relieve their energy burden,” said Lorraine Horton, Director of Community Programs at the Energy Coordinating Agency. “NECs help individuals with shut-off notices, LIHEAP/Crisis, and other energy services such as weatherization applications, PGW conservation workshops, and connect families with other resources that are available. We are ‘feet on the street’ energy advocates.”
Charles Lanier, Executive Director of the Hunting Park Neighborhood Advisory Committee, added: “NECs help Philadelphia residents reduce their energy burdens. We encourage everyone in the community to visit their local, convenient Neighborhood Energy Center. We’re here to serve them and their families.”
For a full list of all NEC locations, visit pgworks.com/uploads/pdfs/Philly_Neighborhood_Energy_Centers.pdf
For more information on LIHEAP, Crisis Assistance, and additional PGW payment assistance programs, visit pgworks.com/residential/customer-care/payment-assistance.
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With an instant $90 rebate from PGW’s Marketplace, energy and money saving
smart thermostats are more affordable during the holiday season
PHILADELPHIA (November 23, 2022) – This holiday season, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is offering a special deal for customers shopping the online PGW Marketplace. For a limited time, customers can take advantage of a $90 instant rebate when purchasing an energy-efficient smart thermostat through PGW's online Marketplace at pgworks.com. Smart thermostats are the most convenient and effective way to conserve energy and reduce household energy costs.
For a select number of ENERGY STAR-certified products, the instant rebate covers all, or most of the cost of the thermostat, not including sales tax and shipping. In addition to PGW’s rebate, some of the thermostat manufacturers may add in their own Black Friday deals to further reduce costs. Customers have a choice of devices from Amazon, Ecobee, Emerson, Honeywell, or Nest.
The WiFi-enabled, programmable thermostats can be controlled remotely through a smartphone or tablet with features to manage home energy use, such as automatically lowering the temperature at night or when residents are away from home; learning residents’ behaviors, and adjusting indoor temperatures for comfort; and tracking usage over time via smartphone app.
“Installing a smart thermostat in your home is the simplest and most worry-free way to help customers use less energy, which can lower home heating bills,” said Steven Jerue, Director of Customer Programs at PGW. “By offering larger rebates on smart thermostats, we are aiming to not only help customers save money during the holidays but also to save money on their energy bills for years to come.”
Those eligible for purchases through the Marketplace must be PGW customers and install the thermostat in a residence served by PGW for gas heating. Customers may receive up to three rebates, and will earn $30 for second and third thermostats purchased.
For information on PGW’s Marketplace and additional energy efficiency initiatives pgworks.com/customer-care/efficiency.
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Keep safety in mind when gathering for Thanksgiving
PHILADELPHIA (November 23, 2022) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) offices will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 24, 2022. PGW’s 24-hour Emergency Hotline will remain open for emergency calls. All odor calls or gas-related emergencies should be immediately reported by calling 215-235-1212.
PGW offices will resume regular business hours on Friday, November 25, 2022.
Customers who need to access account information or pay their bill online can log into their PGW My Account, pay by phone at 215-235-1000 or make cash payments in person at hundreds of local retailers, including Walmart, CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, 7-Eleven, and Rite Aid. For information, visit pgworks.com/customer-care/your-home/ways-to-pay.
Thanksgiving is a time to gather and celebrate with family and friends over meals often cooked using safe and affordable natural gas. Before cooking, and reuniting with loved ones, it is helpful to keep these seasonal safety tips in mind:
PGW wishes our customers and employees a safe, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving. To support Philadelphia families in need this year, visit the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey https://www.unitedforimpact.org/.
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