Due to expected higher bills, National Fuel wants to remind customers that substantial financial assistance is now available. Recently, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a one-time Home Energy Assistance Program Regular Arrears Supplement (HEAP RAS) benefit to pay up to $10,000 in gas and/or electric arrears for low-income households in New York state that are in collections or otherwise facing disconnection or termination of service. Administered through the local Departments of Social Services, the HEAP RAS benefit will pay the entire current balance, including arrears. The HEAP RAS grant will be in addition to the HEAP Regular benefit (up to $426) presently available. Emergency HEAP grants will be offered in January 2022 for up to $350. HEAP opened on Oct. 1, the earliest funding has been made available in decades. Since last Friday, thousands of National Fuel customers have secured grants totaling more than $2.48 million in HRAP RAS dollars. National Fuel’s customer assistance is available to help customers determine eligibility and navigate through the application process.
National Fuel has the following assistance programs available and encourages all customers struggling to make payments to call customer assistance today.- The Neighbor For Neighbor Heat Fund offers grants up to $500 year-round. Qualified customers must be aged 55 years or older, disabled, currently receiving unemployment benefits, or are military veterans.
- Deferred Payment Agreement allows customers to negotiate a repayment plan based on individual financial circumstances.
- Special Protections is applicable for households where all residents are aged 62 years and up or are 18 years and younger, or are blind or disabled.
- The NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides rent, utility, and home energy payment assistance for tenant households.
- Budget Plan billing allows winter payments to be spread out over the whole year, providing stable monthly bills.
Customer assistance is available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. by contacting 1-800-365-3234.
“Natural gas is a commodity bought and sold in a national deregulated market and prices fluctuate daily due to supply and demand pressures,” said Karen L. Merkel, spokesperson for National Fuel. “Supply and demand forces have been affecting the market price with demand coming back faster than supply, forcing prices to go higher. While we can’t control the natural gas market or weather, National Fuel continues to execute a gas purchasing strategy on behalf of its customers to maintain affordability and ensure reliable service even in frigid winter weather. Customers can also take steps that can assist in conserving energy and saving money on their winter heating bills, as well as access several programs available to assist qualifying customers with home energy costs.” National Fuel’s Conservation Incentive Program provides helpful tips to make a home more energy-efficient, thus using less energy to heat homes while cutting emissions in alignment with New York’s state energy goals. Since the energy efficiency program began in 2008, 179,984 residential rebates totaling $38,764,903 have been distributed to customers who have purchased high-efficiency natural gas appliances or equipment. Tips can be found at . Some common guidelines include:- Reduce air leaks and cut as much as 10% from your monthly energy bill by using caulk or weather-stripping to seal leaks around floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, doors, windows, fans/vents, electric outlets, fireplaces, and plumbing.
- Set thermostats between 65° and 70° during the winter and at 58° when away from the house for more than a few hours. By turning your thermostat back 10°-15° for eight straight hours, you can save about 5%-15% a year on your heating bill — a savings of as much as 1% for each degree.
- Turn down thermostats automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing a programmable thermostat.
- Close vents and doors in unused rooms. Close dampers on unused fireplaces. Warm air rises, so use registers to direct warm airflow across the floor.
- Set your water heater to 120° or the medium temperature setting. Drain a quart of water from the bottom of your water heating tank every three months to remove sediment that can hamper the efficiency of your unit.