NATIONAL GRID PLC October 8, 2015
Old farmhouses are often quaint, but have never been known for energy efficiency. Paul and Joanne Coons of Clifton Park have shown that it can be done. They have transformed their 1830s-era farmhouse into a “net zero” home that now generates more energy than they use.
“We started with the smaller steps,” Joanne said, “adding insulation, sealing windows and doors. Right away that helped us start to control our energy costs.” After tightening up their home’s “energy envelope” to make it as efficient as possible, the couple tackled bigger projects, over the years buying Energy Star® appliances and installing solar panels and a geothermal heating and cooling system.
“We know that what we were able to do might not fit everyone’s lifestyle,” said Paul, “but there are still lots of ways anyone can cut their energy use. It certainly pays off year-round, and especially during the winter.”
Winter forecasts call for stable bills
Even with a forecast for stable electricity and natural gas bills this winter, the Coons family provides a tremendous example of homeowners recognizing the impact energy efficiency measures can have on the family budget.
National Grid is projecting natural gas heating customers will see an overall reduction of 2 percent or more on their total bill during the five-month winter heating season (November to March) compared to last year, while electricity customers could see bills that are about 4 percent lower than last winter. The forecasts reflect normal usage and weather.
Based on typical usage of 719 therms during leap year, National Grid gas customers are forecasted to pay about $500 this winter heating season, or about $12 less than last year’s typical bill of 711 therms. Typical eastern New York electricity customers using 600 kilowatt-hours a month are forecasted to spend $456 over the winter heating season, or about $17 less than last year. These forecasts project the lowest residential natural gas bills in a decade, and the continued stability of upstate New York electricity bills.
Because energy costs and usage are impacted by weather conditions, the company reminds customers that forecasted figures are approximate. In addition to weather, factors that determine actual costs are wholesale energy supply prices and energy usage, both of which can be dramatically impacted by severely cold temperatures.
National Grid plays an active role in trying to manage the natural gas supply portfolio we purchase on behalf of customers by using storage and future price hedges – or locked-in pricing – but the actual cost of the gas we provide is set by the marketplace and passed directly on to customers without markup.
Of course, energy customers could see lower bills depending on the energy efficiency measures they take. Joanne Coons said, “The best way to save energy is to not use it.”
Here are a few energy saving tips from National Grid:
- Replace five lights with ENERGY STAR® light bulbs for a total savings of 62 kWh.
- Turn off lights, appliances, TVs, stereos and computers when not in use and save 58 kWh.
- Turn off large televisions (greater than 32') when not watching and you can save 50 kWh.
- Unplug and recycle your old, second refrigerator and save 270 kWh and qualify for a $50 National Grid rebate.
- Unplug your electric space heater or hot tub and save 270 kWh.
- Washing your clothes in cold water can save you 63 kWh.
- Repairing leaky faucets and save on your hot water. You can save 40 kWh.
- Unplug chargers, laptops, anything with a remote control or “instant on” feature and save 29 kWh.
- On your electric dryer: Clean dryer filter, clean and straighten exhaust hose/duct and vent outside and you will save about 23 kWh.
Savings will vary from home to home. More energy-saving tips and programs can be found on National Grid’s energy efficiency page and by visiting NYSERDA’s energy efficiency website.
National Grid is also taking steps to keep costs stable. Because natural gas is the primary fuel used to generate electricity, increasing pipeline capacity for natural gas is a priority for National Grid to keep winter bills as low as possible. While the company continues to support new natural gas pipelines, other measures such as increased hedging have also been taken to control energy costs for customers.
Supply, Delivery and Customer Choice
A customer’s total bill consists of two components – energy supply and energy delivery. National Grid’s costs are part of the energy delivery portion of the bill, and cover the cost to
operate and maintain the systems that deliver energy to customers, including providing emergency services and storm restoration. Delivery prices are regulated by the New York Public Service Commission.
When it comes to the energy supply portion of the bill customers have the option to choose from a variety of energy suppliers, some of whom offer fixed prices. Information regarding energy suppliers can be found at www.nationalgrid.com under the “Supplier Choice” section or at www.newyorkpowertochoose.com. Customers who elect to have National Grid purchase their energy supply will see those costs passed along without markup. The company does not profit from purchasing energy on customers’ behalf.
National Grid encourages customers to shop for the supplier that best fits their energy and lifestyle needs. As with any purchase, customers should research alternative suppliers, compare prices and fully understand contract terms before signing. More information on how to choose an energy supplier, including frequently asked questions, can be found on National Grid’s website under “Energy Choice” or on the PSC's website.
National Grid also provides various billing options for customers, particularly the Budget Billing program that helps spread payments out more evenly across the year. Help also is available for customers who have difficulty paying their heating bills by calling National Grid at 1-800-642-4272. The sooner a customer calls, the easier it is for the company to offer assistance.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides financial assistance to income-eligible applicants. Households receiving public assistance, Supplemental Security Income or food stamps are the most likely to be eligible for LIHEAP. This federal program opens in November and is available on a first-come, first-served basis to all utility customers. Customers who believe they qualify are urged to call their local office of the New York State Office for the Aging or their county’s Department of Social Services for more information.
About National Grid
National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE: NGG) is an electricity and natural gas delivery company that connects nearly 7 million customers to vital energy sources through its networks in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. National Grid also operates the systems that deliver gas and electricity across Great Britain.
Through its U.S. Connect21 strategy, National Grid is transforming its electricity and natural gas networks to support the 21st century digital economy with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions. Connect21 is vital to our communities' long-term economic and environmental health and aligns with regulatory initiatives in New York (REV: Reforming the Energy Vision) and Massachusetts (Grid Modernization).
For more information please visit our website, or our Connecting website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, friend us on Facebook, find our photos on Instagram
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