Core Insights - Piedmont Natural Gas is reminding customers about energy-saving tips and assistance programs as temperatures are expected to drop significantly in the Southeast [1] Energy Management Tools - The Equal Payment Plan (EPP) allows customers to manage their budgets by leveling out natural gas bills into a predictable monthly amount, calculated based on annual usage [3] - Customers can access their gas usage history online to identify trends and savings opportunities [7] Financial Assistance Programs - The Share the Warmth program provides funds to local agencies to assist families with utility bills, regardless of the energy source [4] - The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers financial assistance for natural gas, electric, and other energy sources [4][5] Energy-Saving Tips - Set thermostats to the lowest comfortable setting and consider installing smart or programmable thermostats to reduce energy use [7] - Utilize natural sunlight by keeping drapes open during the day and closing them at night to insulate the home [7] - Regularly change air filters to ensure heating systems operate efficiently [7] - Manage water heater temperatures and consider energy-efficient options like tankless water heaters [7] - Seal homes and air ducts to prevent heat loss, potentially saving 10% to 20% on heating and cooling bills [7] - Evaluate insulation needs in ceilings, floors, and walls to improve energy efficiency [7] Company Overview - Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, serves over 1.2 million customers across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee [8]

Environmental Impact - Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory's carbon reduction initiatives cut over 50,000 tons of carbon emissions in 2024 [1] - The carbon emission reduction is equivalent to removing the annual carbon footprint of over 10,000 gasoline-powered cars [1] - The carbon emission reduction is equivalent to powering over 80,000 Shanghai households for a year [1] Technological Innovations - Wet-on-Wet paint process saves 668 million kWh of electricity and 2 million cubic meters of natural gas annually [1] - Waste heat recovery reuses heat from cooling water, saving 27 million cubic meters of natural gas annually [2] - Optimized die-casting reduces carbon emissions by 3,000 tons per year [2] Manufacturing Philosophy - Tesla believes world-class products must be built with tougher, more efficient, and more sustainable manufacturing processes [2]