As energy bills continue to climb, National Grid offering tips, help, and in person events to help lower costs

WALTHAM, MA – Everywhere you go, Massachusetts residents are unhappy with their energy bills, with that, National Grid is kicking off the summer season with proactive campaigns to help customers stay cool and manage costs. These efforts include bundled solutions that combine energy savings with bill management programs, as well as opportunities to connect one-on-one with customer advocates at assistance events statewide.

Following another cold winter, these outreach efforts will help customers during the high-heat months, when increased usage can drive higher electricity costs, and provide tools to track and better understand their energy use. National Grid’s program experts can also offer solutions to help with high bills, helping alleviate financial burdens for eligible customers.

“From cooling tips to billing help, our teams are taking a proactive approach to ensure that our customers have the support they need to stay cool and to keep costs down throughout the summer season,” said Bill Malee, Chief Customer Officer, National Grid.

Throughout the summer season, National Grid will provide customers with text alerts that will provide timely energy-saving tips during heat waves. Below is a checklist with a few tips that can help Massachusetts residents save on energy costs throughout the hot summer:

Manage Energy Costs When the Summer Heat Arrives:

• Adjust thermostats. Setting a thermostat to a higher, reasonable temperature while at home and adjusting it even higher when away from home can help save energy. Lowering the thermostat below the desired setting will not cool a home faster and may result in unnecessary energy consumption.
• Run fans with air conditioning. Oscillating or box fans near air conditioning vents can improve cold air flow throughout a room.
• Close window coverings. Ambient sunlight can heat a room. Turning off unused lighting and drawing window blinds to reduce heat will keep air conditioning from running more than needed.
• Charge electric vehicles overnight. Shifting electric vehicle charging to overnight hours can earn customers off-peak charging rewards and reduce stress on the grid.
• Visit ngrid.com/hereforyou. Learn about our residential, multi-family, and commercial energy efficiency programs and rebates, and find more information on ways to save energy and reduce energy costs.

Tips for Improving Energy Efficiency at Home:

• Sign up for a Home Energy Assessment. National Grid connects customers with an energy specialist who will create a customized energy report and provide energy-saving products, such as advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, and programmable thermostats, all at no cost.
• Weatherize homes with insulation and air sealing upgrades. Properly insulating and sealing a home are cost-effective ways to boost energy efficiency. Weatherization can help lower heating and cooling costs by up to 15 percent and decrease drafts to improve comfort and humidity control all year long. Customers may qualify for 75-100% off approved insulation and air sealing improvements after completing a home energy assessment.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy, last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lighting, and emit less heat.
• Service cooling equipment. Proactively scheduling maintenance for central air conditioning or heat pump systems helps ensure the unit is running efficiently before peak summer use.
• Replace air filters. Check air filters every 1-2 months during the summer. Dirty filters can restrict airflow forcing a system to work harder, reducing its efficiency. Clean filters help air conditioners work better and last longer.
• Vacuum air intake vents and keep them clear. Vacuum air vents to remove dust and move household items away from intake vents to keep the airflow moving.
• Consider installing a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats offer greater control of energy usage anytime and anywhere. Eligible models can earn rewards through the ConnectedSolutions program for small temperature adjustments during the hottest days of summer. Instant rebates on smart thermostats are available through the Mass Save marketplace.
• Prep for any planned time away from home. If there is a road trip or vacation on the calendar, take extra steps, such as turning up the thermostat to prevent air conditioning from running while no one is home.

Help with Managing Energy Bills:

National Grid customers can now sign up for a Payment Assistance Bundle. The bundle combines three helpful solutions to make it easier for managing energy costs and paying down past due amounts over a 12-month period.

• Deferred Payment Agreement: Spread out past-due balance into future monthly payments.

• Automatic Monthly Payments: Automatically deduct payments from your bank account each month and avoid missing due dates.

• Budget Plan: Break down annual energy costs into balanced monthly payments, making it easier to budget and plan expenses.

Customers can also access energy usage graphs via their National Grid ‘My Account’ page or on the Mobile App, which can help them better understand, track, and manage their energy usage month-to-month.

Residential customers interested in enrolling in the Payment Assistance Bundle or other Bill Assistance program can also contact a Customer Service Specialist at 1-800-233-5325 or visit ngrid.com/hereforyou to learn more our programs.

Throughout the summer, National Grid customer assistance representatives will also be spreading out around the state to engage with customers, including:

• Customer assistance events that will cover summer energy-saving solutions, payment assistance programs, budget billing, the tiered discount rate program, and the arrears management program; and
• Expanded ‘Senior Power Hour’ events to provide direct assistance to elders, who are more vulnerable to increased heat.

Customer Assistance Events