Understanding your AES Indiana bill: extreme cold weather can bring higher usage

February 12, 2025

AES Indiana, a subsidiary of The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES), is helping customers to understand the reasons why bills are higher in cold weather and how their home uses energy.

Indiana experienced the coldest January in the past decade, which led to higher heating bills due to extended subzero temperatures. AES Indiana is urging customers to prepare for higher bills as more winter weather is heading into AES Indiana’s service territory this week bringing along extreme cold temperatures and the possibility of snow and ice.

Winter utility bills are often higher because it takes more energy to heat your home to the temperature you set, even though you have not changed your thermostat setting.

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Understanding home energy usage

• Heating and cooling account for over half your home’s energy usage.
• The number of days in each billing cycle can vary causing higher bills if there are more days.
• People usually spend more time inside during the cold winter months, which increases electricity use for appliances, lights and electronics.

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AES Indiana is committed to helping customers take control of their energy use and save money by following these cold weather energy efficiency tips:

• Help reduce heating costs. Set your thermostat back at least 8 degrees each day — when you are at work and when you go to bed. 70 degrees is a good threshold for when you are home, and lower when you are away or sleeping.
• Don’t set the thermostat higher than you want it, even if you’re trying to heat your home quickly. It won’t heat your home any faster, and it runs your system longer than necessary.
• Don't let anything — including furniture, drapes and curtains — block heating airflow.
• Open curtains and blinds during the day to let sunlight in and close them at night to keep cold air out.
• For more winter savings tips and resources, visit aesindiana.com/cold-weather-tips.

 

If you are experiencing difficulty in paying your bill, assistance programs are available that may be able to provide support.

• AES Indiana is offering 3, 6, 9 and 12-month extended payment plans to all customers. Customers are encouraged to call the Customer Care Team at 317-261-8222 to get set up on a payment plan that fits their unique circumstances.
• Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is a government program with applications open through April 14, 2025. Customers must meet the income guidelines to qualify. United Way of Central Indiana’s Winter Assistance Fund runs through May 31, 2025 for Marion County residents, and customers must meet the income guidelines to qualify. The Winter Assistance Fund helps those who cannot afford their entire electric bill but do not qualify for the government's Energy Assistance Program.
• Citizen’s Energy Group’s Warm Heart Warm Home Foundation provides financial assistance to qualified customers having difficulty paying their gas and water bills.
• AES Indiana has partnered with Dollar Energy Fund to administer the Power of Change program, which includes accepting applications and enrolling qualified customers. Dollar Energy Fund is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for households experiencing hardship.

 

For additional information on AES Indiana’s payment assistance options to customers during the cold weather months, visit aesindiana.com/payment-assistance.

 

About AES Indiana
AES Indiana, an AES Company, provides retail electric service to more than 530,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Indianapolis, as well as portions of other Central Indiana communities surrounding Marion County. During its long history, AES Indiana has supplied its customers with some of the lowest-cost, most reliable power in the country. For more information about the company, please Connect with AES Indiana on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. For more information about how AES Indiana is accelerating the future of energy, visit aesindiana.com.