PEARL RIVER, NY— As colder months approach, Orange & Rockland Utilities (O&R) is urging customers to prepare for higher winter energy costs and take advantage of available payment assistance programs, energy-saving incentives, and conservation tips.
According to the company’s latest projections, residential electric bills for customers using 550 kWh per month are expected to average $152 per month this winter, up 12.6 percent from last year’s $135. Meanwhile, the average natural gas heating bill for a typical residential customer using 151 ccf per month is projected to reach $273, a 10.9 percent increase compared to last winter’s $247.
O&R said that it does not profit from energy supply costs, which are influenced by market conditions, weather, and global energy trends. The company says it works to stabilize pricing by locking in lower energy rates when possible and maintaining reliable natural gas and electric supplies.
Payment Help for Those in Need
For residents facing challenges with rising costs, several assistance programs are available:
- Payment Plans and Budget Billing: These options allow customers to spread payments evenly over the year, avoiding large seasonal spikes.
- Energy Affordability Program: Customers receiving benefits from certain government programs may qualify for monthly bill discounts. In 2024, O&R provided $22 million in assistance to roughly 16,300 income-eligible households.
- Beginning in 2026, expanded eligibility under the New York State Public Service Commission will extend these discounts to all residential customers below the median income.
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): A federally funded program that helps income-eligible households with heating costs. Information on the 2025–2026 application schedule is available through New York State resources.
Practical Energy-Saving Tips
Residents can also reduce energy use — and lower bills — by making simple changes at home:
- Set thermostats to the lowest comfortable temperature; each degree higher increases heating costs.
- Keep vents clear of furniture or rugs for better air circulation.
- Have heating systems cleaned and inspected annually.
- Wash clothes in cold water and insulate hot-water pipes.
- Use light-colored window coverings during the day to reflect sunlight, and darker ones at night to retain heat.
- Unplug electronics when not in use, as many devices draw power even when turned off.
Investments in Reliability
O&R continues investing in infrastructure upgrades to ensure more reliable service during winter storms and peak demand periods.
- In Monroe, the company installed a temporary mobile substation and 10,500 feet of new underground distribution cable on Larkin Drive as part of its ongoing Forest Avenue Substation project, slated for completion in 2026.
- In Clarkstown, O&R is constructing 5.5 miles of underground transmission cable along West Nyack Road — one of the largest projects in company history — to strengthen power delivery across southern Rockland County. The project is expected to finish by spring 2027.
For more information on payment assistance, budget billing, or energy efficiency programs, visit www.oru.com or contact O&R Customer Service.