PGW OFFERS MONEY & ENERGY SAVING TIPS IN THE GRIP OF COLD WEATHER
Posted on: Feb 03, 2022Weatherization, smart thermostats, payment assistance programs, and tax credits are tools available to help keep customers warm and save them money
PHILADELPHIA (February 3, 2022) – As winter weather blankets the city, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) offers customers several tips on how to stay warm in their homes, conserve energy, and manage their home heating bills.
Customers can reduce their home heating costs and conserve energy by converting to smart thermostats, available with an instant $70 rebate through the PGW Marketplace. Smart thermostats can be controlled by a cell phone and include conservation features such as motion sensors, alerts, and integration with other smart devices.
A limited number of low-income customers may be eligible for free smart thermostats, including installation, at no cost.
PGW’s EnergySense offers rebates of up to $1,300 for customers installing high-efficiency heating and hot water heating equipment that maintain comfort while using less gas. The new, affordable EnergySense incentives offer income-qualifying customers with larger rebates of up to $1,800.
PGW programs such as Home Comfort offer low-income customers free energy weatherization services which improve comfort and reduce energy use. In the more than 10 years since the program began, PGW has invested over $75 million to weatherize 25,550 low-income customer homes and 26 multi-family buildings (with a majority of low-income tenants) in Philadelphia.
PGW also encourages customers to take steps to weatherize their homes to maximize indoor heat and save money by:
- Applying caulk to wall cracks, gaps, or joints smaller than one-fourth inches wide.
- Applying weather stripping around doors and windows.
- Covering windows from the inside with plastic sheeting or shrink film.
- Installing foam draft guards at the bottoms of external-facing doors.
- Ensuring heating vents are not blocked by rugs or furniture to allow air to circulate properly.
- Setting the thermostat as low as comfortable during waking hours and lowering the thermostat seven to 10 degrees while asleep or away from home.
- Taking advantage of natural light for home heat during the day.
For those who need help with their monthly natural gas bills, PGW encourages customers to apply for several payment assistance options such as LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), a federal grant of up to $1,500 for homeowners and renters that does not have to be repaid. In addition to LIHEAP, customers who have received a 10-day shut-off notice can apply for Crisis Assistance, a federal grant of up to $1,200 awarded to income-eligible customers.
Additionally, some PGW households may qualify for an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for as much as $6,738 from the Internal Revenue Service. Approximately 226,000 Philadelphians were eligible for EITC last year, yet nearly 20 percent of qualifying households did not apply. Families filing for the first time could receive refunds for 2018-2020. The filing deadline is April 18, 2022. For more information, visit phila.gov/documents/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc-employer-notice.
To learn more about PGW’s customer assistance programs, go to pgworks.com/customer-care/payment-assistance.
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