Oct. 29, 2009 (PR Newswire) -- RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dominion Virginia Power is alerting customers that autumn is a great time to take advantage of several programs available to help them actively manage their home energy costs before higher winter heating bills arrive.

"This is the opportune time for customers to sign up for billing options and learn about the wide range of assistance programs that are available to help them manage their energy costs," said Gianna Clark, vice president, Customer Service Operations. "It also is important for customers to contact us if they are having difficulty paying their bill or anticipate having difficulty. We can explore all the options available to make it easier." The company's toll-free customer service phone number is 1-888-667-3000.

Dominion will contact 75,000 customers this month to provide them with information on programs offered through the Commonwealth of Virginia and Dominion to help qualifying families pay their home energy bills and weatherize their homes. This includes information on:

--  Qualifying and applying for the Commonwealth's fuel assistance and
crisis assistance programs are available through the Virginia Department
of Social Services at www.dss.virginia.gov or by calling 2-1-1 to locate
the local social service agency.
--  The commonwealth's weatherization program is available from the Virginia
Department of Housing and Community Development Web site at
www.dhcd.virginia.gov or by calling 2-1-1 to locate a local
weatherization provider.  A home energy audit is performed, and
energy-efficient repairs are made at no expense to the resident.  The
program is available to renters, as well as homeowners.  A weatherized
home typically uses about one-third less energy, saving a family about
$350 a year on energy bills.

--  Dominion's EnergyShare program, which assists qualified families
regardless of their heating source, is available by visiting the
company's Web site at www.dom.com and searching for EnergyShare, or by
calling toll-free 1-888-667-3000 to locate a local EnergyShare agency.
EnergyShare applications will be accepted beginning November 2.

Dominion also encourages customers to avoid monthly fluctuations in their electric bills by signing up for budget billing.