As part of its responsibility to serve its customers, Peoples Gas works every day to keep bills as low as possible. No one wants to see the higher natural gas costs that are occurring around the world.
Unfortunately, the bitter cold weather in mid and late December, along with continued worldwide natural gas price spikes, has caused heating bills to rise.
What customers can do
Any customer concerned about their bill is encouraged to contact Peoples Gas right away to discuss bill payment options and energy assistance. Customers who have seen a sudden increase in their bill may benefit from Budget Billing, which eliminates the seasonal variations in energy bills.
Peoples Gas understands this increase may be challenging for some customers. In order to help customers in the greatest need, the company recently donated $5 million to the Share The Warmth program. This program provides direct financial assistance to help qualifying customers pay their utility bill.
Customers with lower incomes may also qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or the Percentage of Income Payment Plan. Both programs offer financial assistance to help eligible customers pay their energy bills. The State of Illinois is expected to have more than $340 million in low-income assistance available this winter for these programs.
Customers can connect with Peoples Gas about each these things 24 hours a day online, through the Peoples Gas app or by calling 866-556-6001.
Managing energy use
Customers can take steps to manage their energy use by scheduling an annual furnace tuneup, sealing gaps around windows and doors, and turning down their thermostats when they are away or asleep. Visit Peoples Gas for more low- and no-cost energy-saving tips.
Steps we take to help customers
The price of natural gas in 2022 was more than three times what it was in 2020. This increase is mainly due to tight supplies as well as a worldwide increase in demand for natural gas.
Because of the expected impact on heating bills, Peoples Gas has been proactively informing and preparing customers since early fall 2022.
While the price of natural gas is influenced by worldwide events, Peoples Gas uses a proactive, multipronged approach to make sure customers have the reliable and affordable energy they need, while limiting the impact of sudden price changes. The company buys and stores gas when it is typically lower priced, locks in guaranteed natural gas contracts at fixed prices and purchases gas in the spot market.
Peoples Gas does not profit on the natural gas it purchases — you pay the same price for natural gas that the company pays.
Understand the price you pay for energy
Understanding your energy bill