How to save money on your Con Edison bill this winter

NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – Heating season has officially begun in New York City, which can often mean increased energy costs.

But a number of discounts and energy efficiency tweaks can help drive that hefty bill down, from payment plans to hundreds of dollars in cash assistance.

Here are some ways to save money during the winter in New York City:

Cash assistance & Con Edison bill discounts

For cash assistance, New York City residents can apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program, a once-a-season or emergency fund to help low-income residents pay for home heating including electricity, gas, oil and coal.

Benefits reach around $900 for oil, kerosene, or propane heating systems, and $400 for gas and electricity. 

New Yorkers can also apply to general government assistance programs, like SNAP benefits and on-demand cash assistance. 

If you’re already enrolled in government assistance programs, your Con Edison bill may be automatically discounted. Residents receiving Supplemental Security Income, SNAP and other benefits will have their energy bills automatically reduced. 

Residents receiving benefits like Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Disability and Survivors Pension can apply for discounts through Con Edison. 

Discounts on heating equipment

The state offers money for heating equipment tune-ups and replacements, including cleaning, installation of carbon monoxide detectors and thermostats, and repairs to furnaces and boilers. Services will be covered up to $8,000 for a complete replacement, $4,000 for repairs and $500 for cleaning.

Con Edison customers can get discounts on insulation materials, including pipe wrap, spray foam, door sweeps, exterior doors and window shrink kits. The discounts work at stores like Home Depot, Dollar Tree and Lowes. 

Looking to go smart? Con Edison customers can also get $85 off a smart thermostat system through companies including Amazon, Nest and Honeywell Home. 

If you’re working on a larger home improvement project, Con Edison offers cash incentives for installing attic insulation and air sealing to homes. For more information on energy efficiency discounts, click here. 

Payment plans

To avoid price spikes throughout the year, residents can apply to Con Edison’s “Budget Billing” program, which will even out payments based on average use over the previous year and weather trends. This way, you’ll pay the same price every month. 

At the end of the year, any overpayment will be applied as a credit for the next year. If you use more energy than anticipated, you’ll pay the difference. For more information on Budget Billing, click here. 

Customers struggling to make overdue payments can also enter a 12-month payment plan, initially putting down 30% of the payment.