Gas company offers tips for saving on energy bills

Coming utility bills will be higher because of the amount of gas needed to warm a house during bitterly cold weather, but utility consumers have options to help defray the cost.

Atmos Energy, the primary natural gas supplier in Marion County, said the company knows customers are concerned about the bills that will result from recent extreme weather.

“Bills in the near-term will not include any of the unusually high gas prices from the historic winter storms,” spokesman Aaron Bishop said.

Atmos is working with regulators to find solutions that will minimize the impact historic price spikes will have on customers’ bills.

“Until those solutions are identified, the gas cost portion of a customer’s bill will reflect normal, seasonal gas prices,” Bishop said.

Atmos Energy offers installment plans that spread out payments of the total balance over time. Installment plans have no added charges or fees.

To set up an installment plan, go to the Atmos Energy website and log in to the account center to select the payment assistance tab, or call the customer service team at (888) 286-6700 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays.

Qualifying customers can apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program through March 31. Available through the Department for Children and Families, LIEAP pays a portion of home energy costs by providing a once annual payment. For more information on the LIEAP program, call (800) 432-0043.

Atmos Energy’s Sharing the Warmth program offers financial assistance through local agencies that serve eligible families. To locate an agency, visit the Atmos website’s assistance page. 

Customers needing solutions to keep up with their monthly natural gas expenses are encouraged to contact Atmos Energy’s customer service team at (888) 286-6700.