Atmos Energy Offers Resources to Manage Winter Gas Bills

DALLAS - Feb. 5, 2024 -Last month, when Winter Storm Heather blanketed the country with below freezing temperatures that were 78 percent colder than normal and 200 percent colder than last year, the U.S. set a new single-day record for natural gas demand on Monday, Jan. 15. Those frigid temperatures drove record demand and increased the amount of natural gas that many customers used to operate their gas appliances like furnaces and water heaters, resulting in higher bills for some. Atmos Energy understands that budgets are tight, and we encourage customers to explore available resources that help you better understand and manage your winter gas bill.

What factors determine my natural gas bill?

• The amount of natural gas used.
• The natural gas commodity cost, which is a pass-through cost.
• Customer and facility or delivery charges to your home or business.
• Taxes/fees.

Visit atmosenergy.com/yourbill to further understand how your bill is calculated and for a definition of terms that appear on your bill.

How does my January bill compare to other months?

The Bill Comparison tool allows you to compare your current bill with a previous month and understand how the weather, number of billing days, and charges impact your bill. To get started, log into the Account Center at atmosenergy.com/accountcenter.

What can I do to save on my energy bills?

A few household changes can make a big difference. Consider these energy-saving tips where safe to do so:

• Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 58 degrees when you are away from home.
• Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees. Water heating accounts for as much as 25 percent of the energy consumed in your home.
• Reduce your shower and bath time. Showering and bathing can account for 40 percent of your home's hot water use.
• Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Leaving the damper open is like keeping a window wide open - warm air goes right up the chimney.
• If you have a pool, do not use the pool heater. Instead, run your pool pump during the coldest part of the day to circulate the water and prevent freezing.

Visit atmosenergy.com/winterbill for more energy-saving tips.

Is it possible to have a more predictable bill?

Payment solutions such as Budget Billing and Installment Plans can help manage your bill and household budget.

• Budget Billing is a free program that makes your natural gas bill more predictable every month because your costs are spread more evenly throughout the year, so you are not surprised by high winter bills.
• Installment plans are available that spread out payments of your balance over time - with no charges or fees to do so. Call 888.286.6700 or visit the Account Center to establish a plan that meets your needs.

Assistance may be available to help pay your natural gas bill.

• Atmos Energy's Sharing the Warmth program, supported by donations from our customers and employees, has provided more than $6.4 million in financial assistance to help customers in need.
• In addition to Sharing the Warmth, financial assistance is also available from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through local energy assistance agencies.

For more information about payment programs and financial assistance, visit atmosenergy.com/assistance.

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