We know how important electric service is to our customers, especially during the bitter cold brought by the recent winter storm.

If you’re without power, we understand how difficult this is, and we’re working as safely and quickly as possible to restore service to everyone who can safely take power. If you do have power, please consider taking steps to reduce electric usage to save money during this period of extreme cold — every little bit helps.

Recent weather and its impact

The recent winter storm spread destructive ice and heavy snow across much of the country and affected millions of people. Unfortunately, another arctic blast is forecasted to bring even colder air into the weekend. Beyond the bitter cold, the recent storm also drove up natural gas prices, which impacts the cost of generating electricity. While natural gas prices have eased slightly, usage remains at record levels due to the prolonged cold.

Energy efficiency tips to reduce costs

Here are some quick steps you can take to stay warm and keep costs down:

• Let the sun help you: Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to let sunlight naturally warm your home. Close them at night to help keep the chill out.
• Insulate drafty windows: Use heavy-duty, clear plastic sheets or tape clear plastic film to the inside of window frames.
• Adjust your thermostat: Set it as low as is comfortable when you’re home and awake. Lower it when you’re asleep or away.
• Seal air leaks: Check for gaps around pipes, recessed lights, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards or closets.
• Reduce heat loss from your fireplace: Keep the damper closed when not in use and check the seal on the flue damper.

Understanding your bill after a storm

We know that after a major storm, you already have a lot on your mind — and your electricity bill shouldn’t add to that stress. Most customers have advanced meters that allow us to read usage remotely, but severe weather can sometimes impact our infrastructure and temporarily prevent systems from receiving meter data. When this happens, your electricity usage could be estimated to keep your account up to date. In some cases, manual meter reading is still used, and those readings can also be delayed during restoration efforts due to accessibility challenges, for example.

This may explain why the bill projector tool in your account shows usage even when you don’t have power. Once we retrieve your actual meter data, any adjustments needed from the prior estimated bill will appear on the next bill.

This process ensures that your account reflects your actual usage. If you have questions or concerns about your bill, we’re here to help. You can log into your myEntergy account, use our mobile app or call us at 1-800-ENTERGY. We also offer flexible payment arrangements and assistance programs to make managing your bill easier. For more information, visit BillToolkit.entergy.com.

Partnerships in action

Our partnership with the American Red Cross provides shelter, food, water and supplies to communities impacted by the storm.

Watch out for scams

Stormy weather often brings an increase in scam attempts. Entergy will never demand immediate payment over the phone. If a call sounds suspicious, hang up and call 1-800-ENTERGY. Learn more at entergy.com/scams.