In The News

PGW Customers Can Now Apply for Up to $1,000 in Free Money for Heating Bills

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program grants are available now to help households with natural gas bills

PHILADELPHIA (November 1, 2022) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) urges families struggling with the rising costs of goods, services, and housing to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to receive up to $1,000 in free money for their natural gas bills. LIHEAP grants help households afford their winter heating bills, are available for both homeowners and renters, and do not have to be repaid.

The LIHEAP application period runs from November 1, 2022, through April 28, 2023, or while funding lasts. With the average annual residential heating bill at $1,405, a LIHEAP grant could cover most customers’ winter heating costs.

“Prices are increasing for many basic goods and most customers have to make tough budget decisions to pay for basic household necessities,” said Denise Adamucci, Vice President of Regulatory Compliance and Customer Programs at PGW. “LIHEAP helps relieve those concerns with grants that households can use to keep their homes warm and comfortable. The grants do not have to be repaid. Each year, unfortunately, a large number of customers do not apply for LIHEAP and miss out on grant funds that could ease their financial strain.”

Adamucci added, “This year, there are many options for customers to apply and receive in-person payment assistance counseling. Customers can visit one of more than a dozen Neighborhood Energy Centers around the city or visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ new LIHEAP office at 1163 S. Broad St.* We hope that everyone who is eligible will request LIHEAP assistance.”

PGW customers can print a LIHEAP application at pgworks.com/liheap or text the word “CASH” to 77037 to receive an application. Applicants must have a household income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to meet LIHEAP eligibility requirements. Eligibility guidelines are available at pgworks.com/liheap.

LIHEAP grants for PGW customers are applied directly to the “Please Pay” amount of their bill. Customers enrolled in PGW’s Customer Responsibility Program (CRP) benefit from both their regular CRP discount and the additional LIHEAP grant when paying their bills. 

Those without utility service or who have received a 10-day shut-off notice can apply for both Crisis Assistance and LIHEAP together. Crisis Assistance is an additional federal grant up to $1,000 that is awarded to income-eligible customers. 

After receiving LIHEAP or Crisis grants, customers needing further assistance may apply to the Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF), a privately funded grant. UESF funding, which PGW matches up to a maximum of $1,500, is available to income-eligible customers in danger of service termination or whose service was terminated. The grant is designed to pay off the balance of a customer’s unpaid utility bill and bring it to zero.

For more information on LIHEAP, Crisis Assistance, and additional PGW payment assistance programs, visit pgworks.com/residential/customer-care/payment-assistance. 

*New location: The LIHEAP office is in a new location this year – 1163 S. Broad St, Phila, PA 19147.

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PGW’s Parts & Labor Plan Connects Customers Directly to PGW Expert Technicians

PHILADELPHIA (October 4, 2022) – Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) customers facing the rising costs of living and experiencing financial strain can avoid the unpredictable costs of repairing or replacing faulty or broken appliances by enrolling in PGW’s Parts & Labor Plan (PLP). PGW guarantees same-day or next-day service to customers who purchase a Parts & Labor Plan that covers home heating from December 1 through April 15*.

PLP offers a unique suite of affordable coverage plans that best meet customers’ specific needs. With a practical and popular plan, Philadelphia residents can take comfort in knowing their critical house and water heaters can be protected for an entire year for less than $150. If something goes wrong, PGW’s expert technicians will fix it. No extra cost, no charge.

Residential PGW customers who have natural gas house heaters, gas water heaters, gas dryers, and/or split system electric central air conditioners combined with gas heating are eligible for the Parts & Labor Plan. Customers can enroll any time of year at their convenience and can now make a one-time payment using a credit card, checking account, PayPal or Venmo. For the first time, customers who register online can opt-in to have their PLP auto-renewed each year for uninterrupted protection of essential home appliances.

Among PLP’s many comprehensive options is the Check and Adjust plan, which can be added to a purchase of a heater plan. Check and Adjust includes a tune-up of customers’ furnace or boiler, and a visual inspection of their natural gas heating equipment to detect potential issues.

"Residents cannot predict when a critical home appliance needs fixing or repairs and that can result in an unwelcome expense,” said Celia O’Connor, Conversion Programs Manager, PGW. “With an affordable PGW Parts & Labor Plan, customers will not have to be concerned with finding a contractor and facing extra costs if they need repairs. The program provides a sense of security and stability.”

By choosing the coverage plan or plans that work best for their situation, customers will enjoy the benefits of experienced, professional PGW technicians, no costs for parts or labor, reliable customer service, and fast and convenient scheduling. Service appointments can be arranged by calling 215.235.2050, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information on PGW’s Parts & Labor Plan, visit pgwplp.com.

*Service requests must be received before noon, Monday - Friday (excluding holidays).

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PGW CELEBRATES NATIONAL PUBLIC NATURAL GAS WEEK

PHILADELPHIA (October 3, 2022) - Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) joins the American Public Gas Association (APGA) in celebrating National Public Natural Gas Week, October 2-8, 2022 which honors the important work of locally owned public natural gas systems. This nationwide event recognizes the efforts of women and men in the natural gas industry, such as the 1,600 PGW employees who manage and maintain a system of over 6,000 miles of gas mains and service lines to deliver safe, reliable natural gas to approximately 500,000 customers 24/7, 365 days a year.

National Public Natural Gas Week also raises awareness of how natural gas utilities benefit communities across the nation. PGW proudly serves both residential and commercial customers who enjoy a safe and affordable energy source to warm their homes and buildings, cook meals, heat water, and use natural gas appliances in an environmentally responsible way.

As Philadelphia’s hometown utility, and the largest public gas utility in the country, PGW helps enhance quality of life in the City through:  
 

• Safety Practices: PGW received and completed approximately 80,000 One Call tickets to mark underground utility lines across Philadelphia to prevent injuries and property damage. PGW’s emergency hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 215 235-1212 from a safe area.
• Environmental Leadership: Between 2005 and 2009,  natural gas was responsible for 61% of cumulative power-sector CO2 emissions reductions through changes in the fuel mix. Through its Methane Reduction Program, PGW committed to cutting methane emissions by 50 percent by 2050. Additionally, PGW is exploring new energy solutions such as hydrogen and geothermal and embracing other evolving technologies such as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to maintain energy sector jobs in Philadelphia and provide affordable energy options to build a clean energy future.
• Economic Benefits: Customers who use natural gas for heating, cooking, and drying clothes save an average of more than $1,000 per year compared to homes using electricity. PGW offers the most affordable energy option in addition to providing a suite of energy rebates and several payment assistance programs.
• Community Engagement: To make residents more comfortable at home, PGW invested $10.8 million in 2022 on weatherization efforts to help low-income families. Over the last 10 years, PGW has spent $75 million to weatherize over 25,000 low-income customers’ homes at no cost to the owner.
• Customer Service: PGW recently expanded its service network to meet customers where they are at Neighborhood Energy Centers (NEC).  Customers receive one-on-one assistance with PGW-trained energy counselors at over a dozen locations across the city.
• Employment Opportunities: PGW plays a vital role in hiring local talent and diverse vendors throughout the industry, strengthening the economic growth in the Philadelphia region.

PGW has been delivering safe and reliable natural gas to Philadelphia for over 185 years. Industry expertise and changing energy needs drives PGW to advance a clean energy future for accessible and affordable energy for generations to come.

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