How to Keep Your Gas Bill From Spiking as Temperatures Drop

Why the coming cold matters for your gas bill

Colder weather usually means higher natural gas use. When temperatures fall, furnaces run longer, hot water gets used more, and kitchens see more cooking — all of which add up on a monthly statement. Piedmont Natural Gas has put out reminders this week because a forecasted stretch of colder days could push more customers into higher usage bands, making bills noticeably larger than what households paid just a few weeks ago.

This is not about a sudden price shock from the market. It’s mostly about simple math: using more gas means paying more. For many families, that change shows up as a sharp jump in a single bill rather than a slow climb. The good news is there are steps you can take right now to cut how much gas you use and programs that can soften the impact if a bill becomes hard to pay.

Quick steps you can take today to use less gas

Small changes often make a measurable difference. Try a few of these household moves before the cold settles in.

• Turn the thermostat down a degree or two. A modest drop in indoor temperature cuts furnace runtime without making your home uncomfortable. Wear a sweater inside to make a degree or two easier to live with.
• Use zone thinking. Close vents or doors in rooms you don’t use and focus heat where people spend time. Run ceiling fans on low to push warm air down from the ceiling in living areas.
• Shorten hot showers. Reducing shower time and switching to slightly cooler settings lowers hot water use and the gas needed to heat it.
• Insulate windows and doors quickly. Use weather-stripping, a draft stopper at the base of doors, or even thick curtains to block cold drafts at night.
• Set the water heater a bit lower. Dropping the thermostat on the water heater a few degrees reduces gas used for reheating water, especially overnight.
• Cook smart. Use lids on pots, match burners to pot size, and consider the slow cooker or microwave for small meals — they waste less heat.
• Check vents and filters. Replace or clean furnace filters and make sure supply vents aren’t blocked by furniture or rugs so your system runs efficiently.

Help from Piedmont Natural Gas: payment and bill-management choices

Piedmont offers several options for customers who face a higher bill than they expected. One common choice is a budget or levelized billing plan that evens out seasonal swings by spreading estimated yearly costs across 12 months. That means smaller, more predictable monthly payments even if winter use spikes.

If you need more flexible timing, Piedmont typically allows payment arrangements that let customers split a past-due balance into smaller installments. They also work with community and state assistance programs; many customers qualify for help based on income, household size, or special circumstances like recent job loss.

To enroll you usually need a recent bill, proof of identity, and documentation for income-based aid. Piedmont’s customer service can explain what qualifying documents are required and how soon any assistance can start to lower a payment burden.

Safety and pre-winter checks for your gas-using home

Higher gas use is one thing; safety is another. Before the cold arrives, take a few safety steps so you stay warm and safe at the same time.

• Install or test carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure detectors in sleeping areas and on each floor are working and have fresh batteries.
• Know the smell of gas. If you detect a rotten-egg odor, leave the home immediately and call emergency services from a safe location.
• Keep vents and flues clear. Make sure dryer vents, furnace exhausts, and chimneys are not blocked by debris or snow.
• Service aging equipment. If your furnace hasn’t been inspected recently, arrange a professional checkup to reduce the chance of breakdown or safety hazards.
• Never use outdoor heaters or grills inside. Doing so can create deadly carbon monoxide buildup.

Who to contact, local help and next practical steps

Start by checking the account and contact details on your most recent Piedmont bill. The customer service number printed there, or the utility’s online account portal, is the fastest way to ask about budget billing, payment plans, or qualifying for assistance. If you are short on documentation, ask the utility what minimum proof they accept — many programs accept simple documents like a pay stub or benefit letter.

Local community action agencies and state energy assistance programs often partner with utilities. If a bill becomes hard to manage, reach out to those agencies; they can sometimes help with one-time payments or vouchers. If you have medical needs that make continuous heating essential, let the utility know — there are medical certification processes that can affect timing or restoration rules.

Finally, take two quick actions today: lower your thermostat by one degree and replace or check your furnace filter. Those small moves are free and usually show up as lower gas use within days. With a few simple changes and the right billing plan, many households can get through the cold without a scary spike on next month’s statement.

Sources

• prnewswire.com