National Grid launches resource awareness campaign prior to winter

ALBANY | With colder months approaching, National Grid is focused on helping customers manage energy costs and stay comfortable. The company offers a variety of solutions to prepare for winter and address seasonal increases in utility bills. These include flexible payment programs for income-eligible customers, low-cost and no-cost bill management tools, and comprehensive energy efficiency programs for both residential and business customers. To raise awareness of these resources, National Grid is reaching out to customers through email, bill messaging, advertising, social media, webinars, and in-person Customer Assistance Events. As part of a recent Upstate New York rate agreement, more than $290 million in bill discounts is available for vulnerable customers to support low-to-moderate income and disadvantaged communities. WINTER OUTLOOK Current forecasts indicate an increase in winter bills this coming season. Assuming typical winter weather and based on a forecast available at the end of September, natural gas bills for Upstate New York residential customers using 713 therms are expected to be about $66 (about 10 percent) higher over the five-month winter heating season — Nov 1., 2025 to March 31, 2026 — when compared to last winter. The increase includes the supply cost of natural gas, which is determined by market conditions, as well as delivery rate increases needed to maintain the safe, reliable delivery of energy to the more than 600,000 natural gas customers the company serves in Upstate New York. National Grid stores gas and employs future price hedges, or locked-in pricing, to mitigate wholesale supply price volatility on customers' bills. As a reminder, the cost of energy supply is set by the marketplace and National Grid charges customers exactly what it pays for energy supply; it passes along these costs to customers without markup. Winter bill forecasts are approximate and are based on information available at the end of September. They assume typical winter weather conditions. Energy costs and use are affected by weather and other market factors, including wholesale energy supply prices, global events that impact supply and demand, and fluctuations in energy use. ENERGY SAVING TIPS Heating a home is a significant energy cost and energy efficiency can lower bills while enhancing comfort. Simply put, when customers reduce energy usage, they save money. National Grid offers the following tips: For every 1 degree a thermostat is set back, customers may be able to save 1% to 3% on their annual heating costs. Turn down the thermostat every time you leave the house for two hours or more, and each night before you go to bed. It takes less energy to warm up a cool house than to maintain a warm temperature all day and night. Consider a smart thermostat as an inexpensive, easy way to maintain comfort and cut heating costs. When used properly, a smart thermostat can save 10% on heating and cooling costs annually by automating energy-saving adjustments you would otherwise make manually. Insulate the attic, walls, ceilings, and floors to prevent heat from escaping. Take advantage of the sun: Open drapes during the day to capture warmth and close them at night to prevent heat loss through windows. Seal holes and cracks where cold air can get in, especially in the attic and basement. Reducing drafts in a home may save 15% in heating and cooling costs annually. Remove window air conditioning units during the cold months to reduce drafts. If this is not possible, use foam insulation or weatherstripping to fill any gaps between the unit and the window frame. Cover the exterior of the window unit with waterproof, breathable AC cover designed to withstand winter conditions without trapping moisture. If you're looking to replace an appliance, choose an energy efficient model and save anywhere from 10% to 50% in energy costs. For example, replacing a refrigerator that is older than 15 years with a more efficient refrigerator may save hundreds of dollars over the lifetime of the unit. Unplug electronic devices when they are not in use. While it may appear as if electronics are powered off, they may actually be in standby mode and still consuming electricity. Eliminating phantom electricity by unplugging home electronics can save up to 10% per year. Repairing or replacing leaky faucets can save $20 per month in lost water. A 100-watt incandescent bulb and 16.6-watt LED bulb each provide approximately 1,500 lumens of brightness. Replacing five incandescent bulbs with LEDs may save more than $11 a month. Lighting accounts for around 15% of a home's electricity use. The average household may save about $225 in energy costs per year by switching to LED lighting. Have your heating system serviced annually and never try to repair it yourself. If your heating system has a filter, clean or replace it every month during the heating season. Small business, commercial and industrial customers can take advantage of energy savings programs, including energy studies, and incentives to replace aging or inefficient equipment such as heat pumps, frequency drives, refrigeration and weatherization.

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National Grid launches resource awareness campaign prior to winter

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