DAYTON, Ohio - January 4, 2018 - The Dayton Power and Light Company encourages customers to be aware of their electricity usage at home during extreme cold temperatures through the winter heating season. As the temperature drops, your energy bill can rise due to higher usage. Heating and cooling make up nearly half of your home's energy usage.
During extreme drops in temperature, similar to what West Central Ohio has experienced this past week, systems work much harder to maintain a set temperature. If the outside temperature is extremely cold, the desired temperature inside may never be reached. Plus, using additional heat sources, such as space heaters, to compensate for the cold weather also has the potential to increase electric utility bills.
DP&L understands that high winter bills can be a financial challenge for our customers, and we have several assistance options to help manage winter energy bills:
- Budget Billing allows customers to pay the same amount each month based on historical usage. In August, we will "settle up" and your bill will reflect the credit or balance due. Learn more.
- Pay Agreements assist customers with a past due balance. DP&L offers Pay Agreements to help you get caught up. We offer three options to help spread the costs of past due bills. Learn more.
- Financial Assistance The State of Ohio offers assistance programs based on household income. The United Way's HelpLink is available by calling 2-1-1. Connect with a live person 24 hours a day who can help you navigate community resources that may be able to assist. Learn more.
- Medical Need assistance is available if a permanent member of your household receives care for a serious medical condition, and you need help paying your energy bill, you may qualify for special assistance. Learn more.
- Gift of Power is DP&L's one-time emergency relief fund for customers are experiencing financial hardship and need assistance with winter heating bills. The program is administered by The Salvation Army. Customers who have received a disconnection notice can apply for 2018 assistance beginning January 16. Learn more. Customers receiving PIPP assistance who have received a disconnection notice are eligible to apply beginning April 1.
More information about DP&L payment options along with helpful tips to lower your usage and manage your energy bill can be found at dpandl.com/winter.