As winter’s frigid grasp tightens, the concern over rising energy bills becomes a substantial burden for many households. Understanding the financial stress that accompanies these colder months, PECO stands ready to assist customers in navigating these challenges. Following the harshest January in the past decade, PECO emphasizes the importance for its customers to proactively manage their energy consumption and bills. By connecting them with a variety of payment programs and support from federal, local, and private funding sources, PECO actively helps customers meet their energy needs efficiently and affordably.
Flexible Payment Arrangements and Budget Billing
With a focus on flexibility, PECO offers several resources to aid customers struggling with their energy payments. Recognizing that financially accommodating energy consumption during winter is not a one-size-fits-all solution, PECO provides tailored payment arrangements to match individual circumstances. These can include extended payment periods and Budget Billing, which averages out payments over a 12-month span. This approach ensures a more predictable monthly expense, easing the worry associated with unexpected high bills during peak winter usage.
PECO’s policy to prevent disconnection of residential services during the winter months further underscores their commitment to customer well-being. By ensuring access to continuous service, PECO mitigates the risk of households facing energy crises during the coldest season. Additionally, the company’s suite of energy efficiency programs promotes long-term savings by encouraging reduced energy consumption. Discounts on efficient products and modern appliances make it easier for consumers to opt for energy-saving measures, significantly lowering both usage and cost. Since 2009, these efficiency initiatives have awarded over $483 million in rebates and incentives, providing considerable relief to customers’ wallets.
Assistance and Community Collaboration
PECO’s proactive stance on assisting customers extends beyond immediate energy bill management. Nicole LeVine, Senior Vice President and COO of PECO, strongly advocates for customers to reach out early if they anticipate difficulty in managing their energy expenses. By contacting PECO at the onset of financial strain, customers can maximize the assistance available to them. The company actively helps customers find and secure financial support, including grants from various energy assistance programs. In 2024 alone, PECO facilitated over $170 million in energy assistance for more than 135,000 customers, with significant contributions from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provided approximately $15 million in non-repayable funds.
Alexander Talmadge, Executive Director of the Utility Emergency Services Fund, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the critical need for customers to enroll in available energy assistance programs. PECO’s extensive network and collaboration with community partners ensure that customers are well-informed and well-equipped to access these supports. Programs such as the Customer Assistance Program (CAP), Low-Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP), Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF), and Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services (CARES) are vital components of PECO’s comprehensive support system. Starting in January 2025, small businesses can also benefit from the Small Business Gas Grant Program, which provides a one-time $200 grant toward outstanding PECO natural gas bills, extending support beyond residential customers.
Actions to Take
As winter’s cold grip tightens, many households are burdened by rising energy bills. Recognizing the financial strain these colder months can cause, PECO is committed to helping customers navigate these challenges. After experiencing the coldest January in the past decade, PECO stresses the importance of proactively managing energy usage and costs. To aid customers in meeting their energy needs efficiently and affordably, PECO offers various payment programs and directs them to resources from federal, local, and private funding sources. Whether it’s through budget billing, payment assistance programs, or energy-saving tips, PECO’s goal is to help mitigate the daunting expenses of winter. Their proactive approach ensures customers are not left in the cold but have access to the support necessary to weather the season without undue financial hardship. PECO’s comprehensive support aims to make energy costs more manageable, providing peace of mind during the most challenging months of the year.
