PUCO Order For Winter Heating Season
Chilly winters and heating costs is a recipe for high electricity bills. As a result, many Ohio families struggle with keeping the lights on. But PUCO has recently issued a special reconnect order to help families having trouble paying their Ohio energy bills this winter. With many electric suppliers facing rising costs, you might be wondering how you can take advantage. So let’s dive in to see how the PUCO special reconnect order for this winter heating season works.
What Is The PUCO Special Reconnect Order?
PUCO announced the special reconnect order (SRO) just this past month. If you apply for the program, then you must pay PUCO-regulated utilities no more than $175 plus applicable reconnection charges that can’t exceed $36. If it does, you’ll see that extra amount on your next monthly bill. In effect, this could keep your lights and heating on this winter for far cheaper.
The SRO also has provisions for customers seeking new electric or natural gas services. Instead of paying a full security deposit, customers would only have to pay $175. If the amount goes over $175, you’ll see that excess charged on your next month’s bill.
In effect, the SRO makes it much cheaper to reconnect your power or avoid disconnections!
Can I Apply For Assistance from PUCO This Winter?
It’s important to know that there is no income eligibility requirement. This means that no matter how little or much you make, you can take advantage of this year’s SRO. In fact, last year, over 214,000 Ohio customers were protected by last year’s SRO. On top of that, customers below 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines may apply for assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to cover the $175 amount.
Applying is also very easy! All you have to do is contact a participating electric or natural gas utility. Ask about the SRO and they will guide you through the process. You can also contact PUCO at 800-686-PUCO (7826) or visit PUCO’s website.
How Else Can Ohio Customers Save?
The autumn shoulder months are almost over, but there’s still plenty of time to cut costs. We have a set of easy energy saving tips that can help shave down your monthly bills. We also recommend giving your home an energy assessment to find and seal any heat and energy leaks. Finally, you may be able to save even more if you shop for cheap electricity rates in your area.
You can start your search for the best energy plans in town right here at https://www.ohenergyratings.com. You can also count on us for news that can affect your bills.