RGE Encourages Customers to Take Action Now to Manage Winter Energy Bills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROCHESTER, New York — October 12, 2018 — RG&E, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), reminds customers that now is a good time to take steps to manage winter energy bills.

Electricity and natural gas delivery rates will remain steady through the winter. The other major component of bills, supply prices, is dependent on market costs and may increase to some degree because of higher demand during the winter. These supply prices combined with higher energy use in the cold-weather months may mean higher bills.

Customers should also know that they have the option of exploring other alternatives for their electricity and/or natural gas supply. Information on choosing an electricity or natural gas supplier is available at www.rge.com.

Those customers who already obtain their electricity and/or natural gas from a supplier other than RG&E (also known as an energy services company or ESCO) should consult with their supplier for information on winter supply prices.

Customers are encouraged to take steps to ensure they are using energy wisely. This includes weatherization projects, implementing low- and no-cost energy conservation measures and considering our Budget Billing service.

Budget Billing

When a customer signs up for Budget Billing, RG&E divides his or her annual energy bill into 12 equal payments. Every three months, we may review the actual cost of energy used and compare it to the total payments made. If needed, the monthly budget payment is adjusted up or down. This ensures there is no large credit or balance due at the end of the Budget Billing year.

RG&E also offers eBill, a paperless bill service which allows customers to receive and view their bill online, and AutoPay services so customers can set up automatic payments; either service is an ideal complement to Budget Billing to take the worry out of remembering to pay energy bills on time.

To sign up for Budget Billing, eBill or AutoPay services or for more information, RG&E customers can visit rge.com and click on “Your Account” or call 800.743.2110.

Using Energy Wisely

Taking a few simple steps to control energy use, particularly during extreme weather conditions when energy commodity costs tend to spike, can help control winter bills. Here are some tips from RG&E:

Heating

  • Set thermostats no higher than 70°.
  • Turn thermostats down to 58° when you’re away from the house for more than a few hours or in bed for the night. (This may not be advisable if frail, ill or elderly people or infants are in the home.)
  • Install automatic set back or programmable thermostats.
  • Change or clean furnace filters once a month during the heating season.
  • Use registers to direct warm airflow across the floor, not up toward the ceiling.
  • Close vents and doors in unused rooms and close fireplace dampers when not in use.
  • Open draperies and blinds on sunny days to let the warmth in; close them at night to insulate against cold air outside.

Lighting/Electricity

  • Replace incandescent lights with LED or compact fluorescent bulbs that use up to 75% less energy and last up to 10 times as long.
  • Use programmable timers to turn lights on/off.
  • Turn off lights and electronics when not in use.

Hot Water

  • Set water heater temperatures at 120° to cut water heating bills without sacrificing comfort.
  • Install water-flow restrictors in showerheads and faucets.
  • Limit the length of showers.
  • Run washing machines and clothes dryers with a full load.
About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with $31 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.2 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates 7.1 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, with a presence in 22 states across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,500 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals, received a Climate Development Project climate score of “A-,” the top score received in the utilities sector, and has been recognized for two consecutive years by Ethical Boardroom as the North American utility with the “best corporate governance practices.” For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.
 
About RG&E: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of Rochester. For more information, visit www.rge.com.
 
Media Contacts:
  • Juanita Washington
Juanita.Washington@avangrid.com
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