National Grid Provides Winter Bill Forecast, Customer Assistance and Energy-Saving Resources for New York City and Long Island Customers

As winter approaches, National Grid is working to help customers manage energy costs and prepare for colder weather. Energy supply prices are set by the market, but National Grid helps limit volatility by storing natural gas and securing some supply at fixed prices ahead of time. The company does not increase energy supply costs. Customers pay the same price National Grid pays, with no additional markup.

Through National Grid's current Downstate New York rate plan, more than $290 million in bill discounts are available to help income-eligible and vulnerable customers manage energy costs. In 2025, more than 3,100 customers received $1.4 million in support through National Grid’s Care & Share and Hope & Warmth programs.

HEAP opens in November in New York. EAP Project Warmth on Long Island supports customers and Hope & Warmth supports NYC customers.

"Every day, our 11,000 employees work to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable energy to our 4.6 million customers. We know energy affordability is a primary concern for so many families and business we serve," said Interim National Grid New York President Matt Barnett. "National Grid is committed to providing our customers with bill assistance programs, payment options, and energy efficiency solutions, especially in the winter months when market-based gas supply prices can be most volatile. We want any customer who needs assistance to contact us to find a solution that works for them.”

WINTER OUTLOOK
National Grid is providing customers with an early look at expected winter heating supply costs so they can plan ahead and take advantage of available assistance and energy-saving programs.
    
Long Island

Based on current market conditions, National Grid’s residential natural gas customers in Long Island and the Rockaways who use an average of 720 therms during the November to March winter heating season are forecasted to pay about $1461, or $5 more than they paid last year for the same amount of energy.  

Residential customers are projected to pay about $120 less for natural gas supply this winter as compared to last winter, and an increase of $125 for delivery of gas as a result of a rate proposal approved by the public service commission in 2024.    

New York City
Based on forecasts available at the end of September and assuming typical winter weather conditions, a typical New York City residential natural gas customer using 720 therms is expected to pay about $1765 or $87 more than they paid last year for the same amount during the winter heating season from Nov. 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027 compared to last winter.

Residential customers are projected to pay about $124 less for Natural Gas supply this winter as compared to last winter, and an increase of $211 for delivery of gas as a result of the rate proposal approved by the Public Service Commission in 2024.

Several factors influence winter energy bills, including weather, customer energy use and energy supply prices.

Importantly, a customer's bill contains two primary components:

• Supply charges reflect the cost of natural gas purchased in wholesale energy markets. These charges on customer bills are exactly what National Grid pays, without markup. 
• Delivery charges cover the cost of maintaining and operating the energy network that safely delivers natural gas to homes and businesses. This includes a dedicated 24/7 workforce, maintenance and repairs, storm response, and system upgrades.

Expected changes in winter bills are driven largely by projected natural gas supply costs and market conditions. Winter bill forecasts are estimates based on market information available at the end of September and assume normal winter weather. Individual bills will vary depending on temperatures, household energy use, and changing market conditions throughout the heating season.

According to a 2023 American Gas Association report, the annual residential energy bill for a typical single-family home using natural gas is approximately 53% lower than a comparable home using heating oil and 46% lower than a comparable home using propane.

In addition, according to a September 2026 American Gas Association Energy Affordability White Paper, households that use natural gas for heating, cooking and clothes drying save an average of $1,030 per year compared to homes relying on electricity for those same energy needs, underscoring natural gas's role as an affordable heating option for customers.

National Grid does not produce natural gas, does not set wholesale natural gas prices and does not profit from supply charges. The company passes supply costs directly to customers without markup. Supply prices are determined by energy market conditions and the cost charged by suppliers.

CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE
Customers can take steps before winter arrives to better manage energy costs:

• Enroll in the Budget Plan to spread costs more evenly throughout the year.
• Explore available payment assistance and bill discount programs.
• Schedule a home energy assessment and complete recommended efficiency improvements.
• Review energy-saving tips and lower household energy use.

Customers who are having difficulty with affording their energy bills are encouraged to contact National Grid as soon as possible. There are several assistance programs for income-eligible customers, including:

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): Opens in November in New York and provides grants to help eligible customers pay heating bills. Grants do not need to be repaid. Customers can contact their local department of social services to learn more and apply.
• Enhanced Energy Affordability Program: Provides a monthly bill credit to customers who do not qualify for HEAP and have a household income at or below the state median income. 
• National Grid’s Energy Affordability Program: Provides monthly gas and electric bill credits for eligible customers, including many customers who qualify for HEAP.
• NYSERDA's EmPower+ New York Income-Eligible Free Weatherization Program: Offers eligible customers free home energy assessments and energy-saving improvements such as insulation, efficient lighting and appliance upgrades.
• National Grid Care & Share Energy Fund (to open in February 2027 provides grants to help income-eligible National Grid customers pay heating bills. To qualify for a grant, you must be a National Grid customer whose household meets the income guidelines of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

Additionally, the utility’s Help Paying Your Bill page lists information about Consumer Advocates, payment plans, grants, monthly bill credits, extra time to pay and protections for customers with serious medical needs. Customers can also call National Grid at 1-800-642-4272.

ADDITIONAL CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS

• The Budget Plan: open to all residential customers, spreads payments out more evenly across the year to help better manage energy costs. 

• NYSERDA Home Energy Assessment: Available through NYSERDA, this provides a top-to-bottom look at where a home is wasting energy. Customers can complete a virtual Home Energy Assessment and receive a free Home Energy Plan, the first step in the energy efficiency journey.  

  The company also encourages customers to take advantage of additional payment and billing options, including flexible payment agreements and special protections.

ENERGY SAVING TIPS 

Heating a home is a significant energy cost and energy efficiency can lower bills while enhancing comfort. Simply put, when customers reduce energy usage, they save money. National Grid offers the following tips: 

• For every 1 degree a thermostat is set back, customers may be able to save 1% to 3% on their annual heating costs.
• Turn down the thermostat every time you leave the house for two hours or more, and each night before you go to bed. It takes less energy to warm up a cool house than to maintain a warm temperature all day and night.
• Consider a smart thermostat as an inexpensive, easy way to maintain comfort and cut heating costs. When used properly, a smart thermostat can save 10% on heating and cooling costs annually by automating energy-saving adjustments you would otherwise make manually.
• Insulate the attic, walls, ceilings, and floors to prevent heat from escaping.
• Take advantage of the sun: Open drapes during the day to capture warmth and close them at night to prevent heat loss through windows.
• Seal holes and cracks where cold air can get in, especially in the attic and basement. Reducing drafts in a home may save 15% in heating and cooling costs annually.
• Remove window air conditioning units during the cold months to reduce drafts. If this is not possible, use foam insulation or weatherstripping to fill any gaps between the unit and the window frame. Cover the exterior of the window unit with waterproof, breathable AC cover designed to withstand winter conditions without trapping moisture.
• If you’re looking to replace an appliance, choose an energy efficient model and save anywhere from 10% to 50% in energy costs. For example, replacing a refrigerator that is older than 15 years with a more efficient refrigerator may save hundreds of dollars over the lifetime of the unit.
• Unplug electronic devices when they are not in use. While it may appear as if electronics are powered off, they may actually be in standby mode and still consuming electricity. Eliminating phantom electricity by unplugging home electronics can save up to 10% per year.
• Repairing or replacing leaky faucets can save $20 per month in lost water. A 100-watt incandescent bulb and 16.6-watt LED bulb each provide approximately 1,500 lumens of brightness. Replacing five incandescent bulbs with LEDs may save more than $11 a month. Lighting accounts for around 15% of a home’s electricity use. The average household may save about $225 in energy costs per year by switching to LED lighting. 
• Have your heating system serviced annually and never try to repair it yourself. 
• If your heating system has a filter, clean or replace it every month during the heating season.
• Small business, commercial and industrial customers can take advantage of energy savings programs, including energy studies, and incentives to replace aging or inefficient equipment such as heat pumps, frequency drives, refrigeration and weatherization.