ASHLAND, Ky. – January 20, 2025 – With low temperatures expected to persist through the end of the month, Kentucky Power is committed to bringing awareness to efficiency tips that can help reduce energy consumption and payment assistance programs available to help customers manage winter bills.
“The cold weather is leading to higher energy usage across the country,” said Amy Elliott, vice president of external affairs and customer services. “We’re here to support our customers by working with them through payment assistance programs, which can provide financial relief and resources to help manage winter bills during these colder conditions.”
LIHEAP Winter Crisis, THAW & HEART: Assistance Programs Available Now
Applications for the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Winter Crisis and Kentucky Power’s Temporary Heating Assistance in Winter (THAW) and Home Energy Assistance in Reduced Temperatures (HEART) programs are now being accepted through April.
Kentucky Power’s THAW program opened this month to provide additional assistance to customers facing hardship. Qualified customers can receive up to $175 in aid toward their electric bills. HEART provides participating Kentucky Power residential customers who have electric heat with $115 of assistance each month. Qualifying customers with non-electric heat can receive up to $58 per month.
Customers can apply for these programs at local Community Action agencies. Kentucky Power increased funding for its HEART and THAW programs this year, but applications are still processed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details or to locate your nearest Community Action agency, visit KentuckyPower.com/Assistance.
AMP: Avoid Bill Spikes Caused by Weather Conditions
To help customers manage their budgets during winter’s increased energy demands, Kentucky Power offers the Average Monthly Payment (AMP) plan. This program evens out seasonal bill fluctuations by spreading costs evenly over a 12-month cycle.
“AMP is an excellent option for customers who want predictable bills, despite the weather,” Elliott said. “It provides stability and peace of mind when energy usage is typically at its highest.”
Customers can sign up for AMP or explore additional payment options at KentuckyPower.com/WinterBillHelp.
Prepare for the Cold: Energy Efficiency Tips
“While we are in the midst of a cold winter, it’s not too late to increase the energy efficiency of your home,” Elliott said. “Heat pumps can be a silent culprit of rising energy costs, especially when the emergency heat mode is activated. If you have a heat pump, understanding how they work in very cold weather could be a step toward decreasing your energy use.”
To learn more about how heat pumps function with the potential to increase energy costs in cold weather, visit https://www.kentuckypower.com/account/bills/pay/assistance/bill-help-in-winter-summer.
There are many other ways customers can reduce energy usage and save on bills which include:
• Seal air leaks and cover windows. Towels, blankets and tape can be used for a quick fix on some air leaks around the house and to cover windows to keep the cold out.
• Replace furnace filters to maintain system efficiency.
• Use space heaters efficiently. Information about space heaters is available on this Department of Energy page.
More energy-saving ideas are available at KentuckyPower.com/Savings.
Contact Kentucky Power for Support
Customers who don’t qualify for assistance programs like LIHEAP, HEART or THAW can still contact Kentucky Power for help with payment arrangements or other resources. Kentucky Power’s 24-hour Customer Operations Center can be reached at 1-800-572-1113. Customers can also send a message to our social media care team on Facebook.
“We recognize the challenges of managing energy costs during severe cold weather,” Elliott said. “Whether it’s through financial assistance, our Average Monthly Payments plan, or through energy-saving tips, we’re here to help our customers manage their bills through the winter.”