DAYTON, Ohio, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio (Vectren) residential natural gas customers whose household income is at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines will be granted a 90-day moratorium on disconnections this winter heating season in compliance with a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio order issued earlier this week.
Those who fall within these income guidelines are also encouraged to sign up for the energy assistance options below if they haven't already.
* Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): State and federal utility assistance dollars are available for income-eligible customers. Those that fall within 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines should visit their local community action agency to sign up for HEAP or contact the Ohio Department of Development at 1-800-282-0880. * Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (E-HEAP): E-HEAP provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that are disconnected or are threatened with disconnection. Those that fall within 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines should visit their local community action agency to sign up for E-HEAP or contact the Ohio Department of Development at 1-800-282-0880. * Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP): PIPP calls for a qualified household to pay 10 percent of its monthly income for gas service throughout the year. To be eligible for the PIPP program, a customer must receive his or her primary or secondary heat source from a company regulated by the PUCO, must have a total household income which is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level, and must apply for all energy assistance programs for which he or she is eligible. Contact the Ohio Department of Development at 1-800-282-0880 for more information. * Project TEEM: Vectren's Project TEEM (Teaching Energy Efficiency Measures) helps qualifying Vectren customers implement energy efficiency improvements to their homes at no cost to the customers. Those that fall within 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines should visit their local community action agency or call 1-800-617-2673 to sign up for Project TEEM.
"Vectren, combined with the state of Ohio's initiatives, has a number of options to help customers remain in good financial standing," said Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio President Dan Berry. "We encourage all customers to contact us with any issues surrounding difficulty in paying so we can proactively work together to both avoid falling behind on bill payments and help lower energy consumption."
All customers, regardless of household income, are encouraged to take advantage of free Vectren billing and payment options to help prevent or minimize any potential high-bill issues that often arise during the colder, winter months.
* Budget Bill: Under this billing plan, a customer's estimated costs for a year of gas service are spread out in equal monthly bill amounts for the year to help him/her budget accordingly. Typically, amounts are adjusted annually or bi-annually for actual costs and the customer's credit or amount due rolls into the next calculation. Customers can enroll for free at vectren.com or by calling 1-800-227-1376. * Payment Arrangement: Customers who are having difficulty paying bills in full can request a payment arrangement to fulfill the obligation in smaller increments over a set period of time. Customers can request a payment arrangement for free at vectren.com or by calling 1-800-227- 1376. * Payment Extension: Customers can request to extend their monthly bills' due date to avoid paying late fees. Customers can request a payment extension for free at vectren.com or by calling 1-800-227-1376. * Winter Reconnection Order: Through April 15, 2008, Vectren offers a plan that allows customers to pay one-third of the total balance due each month (past due amount plus the current bill). Customers may use the winter reconnection order to maintain or connect gas service for a maximum payment of $175. If applicable, the appropriate reconnection fee will be billed. These customers must also apply for available energy assistance programs mentioned above and/or make a payment arrangement with Vectren for any remaining balances.
Finally, all customers are encouraged to employ a number of free and low- cost energy conservation tips to help reduce gas consumption year-round. Many more tips can be found at vectren.com or by calling 1-800-227-1376.
* Install a programmable thermostat; leave it on a lower temperature while you're away or asleep, and set it to warm the house half an hour before you return home. You can save as much as 5 percent a year on your heating bills by simply turning your thermostat back 5 degrees for 8 hours. * Regularly clean or replace your furnace filter to offer better air flow and higher efficiency. * Keep the heat in by caulking, sealing and weather-stripping around your doors and windows to prevent heat from escaping to the outside. Sealing leaks can save up to 10 percent on heating and cooling costs. * Wash your clothes in cold water. Up to 90 percent of the energy used for washing clothes goes toward water heating. * Open your curtains to let the sun in during the winter. The sun's rays will warm your home. Conversely, after dark close your curtains to hold heat inside your home. * Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan to clockwise in the winter to push rising warm air back into the room. * Make sure heating and cooling vents are open and not blocked by curtains or furniture.
Vectren delivers natural gas to approximately 318,000 customers in all or portions of Auglaize, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Fayette, Greene, Highland, Logan, Madison, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Preble, Shelby and Warren counties.
About Vectren
Vectren Corporation is an energy holding company headquartered in Evansville, Ind. Vectren's energy delivery subsidiaries provide gas and/or electricity to more than one million customers in adjoining service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and west central Ohio. Vectren's nonutility subsidiaries and affiliates currently offer energy- related products and services to customers throughout the Midwest and Southeast. These include gas marketing and related services; coal production and sales; and energy infrastructure services. To learn more about Vectren, visit http://www.vectren.com/.
