By DENISE RODRIGUEZ
NIPSCO External Communications

While NIPSCO continues to be one of the lowest-cost gas providers in Indiana, colder temperatures and increased usage means higher bills for customers at this time of year. NIPSCO reminds customers of their options to stay warm and save money by offering some helpful program options and tips to aid in their home’s energy efficiency.

Energy- and Money-Saving Programs

NIPSCO customers have access to a wide range of programs designed to help manage energy usage, which often leads to bill savings. Some of these programs include:

• Customer Savings with Energy Efficiency Rebates:
• Up to $450 back on attic insulation with air sealing
• Up to $250 back on a 95 percent efficient furnace
• $20 back on a programmable thermostat
• $50 back on a smart wi-fi thermostat

Home Energy Assessment and Weatherization

Receive home energy assessment by a professional energy auditor at no additional cost. Call 1-800-721-7385. Customers may also be eligible to receive duct sealing discounts, discounts on programmable thermostats, discounts on AC and heat pump tune ups, and 40 percent off air sealing, ceiling insulation, wall insulation and more.

Winter Energy Saving Tips

There are a number of low-to-no cost options for customers to save each month, including:

• Install and properly use a programmable thermostat to lower the temperature while you’re away.
• Change your air filters often throughout the season, as dirty filters block air, forcing your furnace to work harder.
• Let the sun in. Utilize the sun’s energy to heat your home simply by opening drapes on windows where the sun shines directly into a room. But when the sun goes down, be sure to close your drapes so they can do the job of insulating.
• Seal up leaks. Use caulk to seal leaks around windows and doors. Look for places where you have pipes, vents or electrical conduits that go through the wall, ceiling or floor. If you find a small gap, seal it up.

A full list of programs and tips to help manage energy use can be found at NIPSCO.com/SaveEnergy.

Billing and Payment Options

Customers who are experiencing difficulties paying their bill are encouraged to call NIPSCO’s 24-hour Customer Care Center as soon as possible to determine what options might be available to offer help. Some of those solutions include:

• Payment Assistance: Based on income levels, customers may qualify to receive state and federal utility assistance dollars as well as support funds from separate NIPSCO programs by visiting their local community action agency.
• BudgetPlan: A free service to all NIPSCO customers to help manage their monthly energy bills by spreading out gas costs over an entire year.
• Payment Arrangements: Allows customers to make an initial payment within four days of the agreement, then spread the remaining unpaid balance over three months, plus current bills as they are due.
• DependaBill and Price Protection Service (PPS): DependaBill provides a fixed monthly bill with no annual reconciliation and PPS allows customers to fix or cap their per-unit cost of natural gas.
  NIPSCO Choice Program: Allows customers the opportunity to choose their natural gas supplier.

For more information on billing options and payment assistance, visit NIPSCO.com/BillingPayment.