ASHLAND, Ky. Nov. 7, 2024 – As temperatures drop, Kentucky Power is committed to helping customers stay comfortable and keep bills manageable with energy saving tips and information on payment assistance programs available this winter.
“Cold weather can lead to higher energy usage as heating systems work harder to keep homes warm,” said Vice President of Customer Service and External Affairs, Amy Elliott. “We want to help provide resources to make winter bills more affordable. Energy efficiency tips, payment assistance or payment arrangements for qualified customers, and the average monthly payment plan are some of the tools available.”
Payment Assistance Programs
Payment assistance programs designated to help qualifying customers manage winter bills are available, including Kentucky Power’s Home Energy Assistance in Reduced Temperatures (HEART) and Temporary Heating Assistance in Winter (THAW). Kentucky Power recently doubled its contribution for these programs to allow more customers to participate and receive assistance.
HEART is offered to income-qualified customers and provides participating residential customers who have electric heat with $115 of assistance each month January to April. Qualifying customers with non-electric heat can receive $58 a month for those same four months.
Applications for HEART, as well as the federally funded LIHEAP Fall Subsidy, are now being accepted through Dec. 20. Customers can apply for these programs at their local Community Action Kentucky (CAK) offices. CAK locations can be found by visiting www.KentuckyPower.com/Assistance.
In January, customers who need limited assistance due to a hardship can apply for THAW. Qualified customers can receive up to $175 toward their electric bill. The program is available January through April.
HEART, THAW and LIHEAP program applications are all accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, or until designated funds are depleted.
Customers can also sign up for the Average Monthly Payment (AMP) plan any time of year. AMP evens out payments over a 12-month cycle so customers avoid weather-related bill spikes. Customers who sign up for AMP know what their bill payment will be each month making it easier to maintain a budget.
Those who do not qualify for either HEART or THAW can still get help by contacting Kentucky Power by calling the 24-hour Customer Operations Center at 1-800-572-1113, or by sending Kentucky Power a message on Facebook, to discuss payment arrangements.
Energy Efficiency in Cold Weather
Customers are also encouraged to take steps now, before the cold weather arrives, to make their homes more energy efficient. From changing the furnace filter and sealing air leaks with weather strips and caulking to keep the warmth inside, there are many low and no-cost tips for increasing energy efficiency listed on the Kentucky Power website at www.KentuckyPower.com/Savings.
“Our goal is to ensure customers stay warm, comfortable and safe this winter,” Elliott said. “We encourage customers to take advantage of efficiency tips now before the cold sets in and ask our customers to reach out to us for assistance. By working together, we can make winter a little easier.”
For more information, visit www.KentuckyPower.com/Assistance.
Kentucky Power is an operating company in the AEP system with headquarters in Ashland, providing service to about 162,000 customers in 20 eastern Kentucky counties.