National Heat Awareness Day 2026

PSEG Long Island offers safety tips and affordability support to help customers manage high heat days

(UNIONDALE, N.Y. – May 29, 2026) Today, May 29, is National Heat Awareness Day. PSEG Long Island reminds customers to prepare themselves and offers important affordability information to help their households manage the high heat days of summer. 

PSEG Long Island prepares year-round to meet the increased electrical demand that high temperatures bring. It also offers many financial assistance and energy efficiency programs to help customers manage their cooling costs.

“PSEG Long Island prepares for periods of high heat, along with other extreme conditions, by updating and maintaining the electric infrastructure all year round,” said  “We want customers to have the best service possible under these conditions, the knowledge to keep themselves safe, and the best information to keep their home cooling as affordable as possible.”

-   Michael Sullivan, Vice President of Electric Operations., PSEG Long Island

During extreme heat conditions, customers should:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
• Avoid wearing dark colors. Dark colors absorb the sun’s rays.
• Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
• Avoid overexertion during work or exercise, especially between 11 AM and 6 PM.

Special protections in extreme weather

At PSEG Long Island, safety is always the top priority and turning off service for non-payment is always a last resort. The company will not turn off service for non-payment to any home or apartment building on a day with a forecasted or actual heat index of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The heat index is a combination of temperature and humidity.

Financial assistance available for customers struggling to pay bills

PSEG Long Island is acutely aware of the customer affordability challenges on Long Island and in the Rockaways. PSEG Long Island committed to keep its 2026 costs flat to 2025 levels, outside of the power supply charge which is a direct pass through of actual costs to generate energy for Long Island and the Rockaways.

PSEG Long Island invites customers facing financial difficulty to reach out. The company’s Customer Advocacy team holds open hours throughout Long Island and the Rockaways at libraries, government offices and community centers where they help customers enroll in PSEG Long Island’s Household Assistance Program. They also help customers apply for state and federal programs. Customers can call the Consumer Advocacy team to find out the dates and locations of upcoming outreach events. The PSEG Long Island’s Consumer Advocacy team can share details about programs and services from 8:30 AM – 4 PM on weekdays at 631-755-3407 or via email at Consumeradvocacyli@psegliny.com.

State-administered cooling assistance

• The New York State Home Energy Affordability Program (HEAP) is offering a Cooling Assistance Benefit. The Cooling Assistance Benefit helps income-eligible households buy and install an air conditioner or fan to cool their home. Applications opened on April 15.

   

• Essential Plan Cooling Program - For eligible customers who are on the NY State of Health Essential Plan, the state is offering the Essential Plan Cooling Program. This initiative is designed to support individuals with health conditions that are worsened by extreme heat. Essential Plan members may receive a free air conditioner to help keep their homes. Applications opened on April 15, and will be accepted through Aug. 31, or until funding is exhausted.

PSEG Long Island residential programs:

• PSEG Long Island’s Household Assistance Program provides a bill credit of at least $45 each month for 18 months to customers who qualify for one of 10 non-utility related state or federal assistance programs. More information is available at psegliny.com/assistance.

   

• PSEG Long Island’s Residential Energy Affordability Partnership (REAP) provides income-eligible customers with a free energy audit in their home. Customers may qualify for insulation, smart thermostats, and other energy-saving measures installed in their homes for free, and receive a $50 bill credit and $30 voucher to the PSEG Long Island Online Marketplace.

   

• Similar to REAP but for all customers regardless of income or the home’s heating source, PSEG Long Island offers free whole house energy assessments. During a home audit, customers learn about exclusive rebates and financing, which may include insulation, heating and ventilation.

   

• PSEG Long Island offers payment plans and extensions for customers with specific needs - from a sudden crisis to a long-term health issue.

   

• Balanced Billing is available to all PSEG Long Island customers and provides electric bills that are the same amount every month. The cost of electric usage for an entire year is projected and divided into 12 equal payments.

Customers on qualifying life-support equipment can register for the PSEG Long Island Critical Care Program to receive enhanced notifications from the company. During severe weather, registered customers will receive additional outreach from PSEG Long Island. Customers who rely on such equipment are responsible for planning ahead to meet medical needs in the event of a power outage. If power is lost, every effort will be made to restore it as soon as possible. Participation in the Critical Care Program does not guarantee priority power restoration. To register, call 1-800-490-0025.

High temperatures can also lead to higher energy use, resulting in higher electric bills. To help save energy and money this summer, PSEG Long Island offers the following tips:

• Set home thermostats or air conditioner units to 78 degrees.
• Customers on a Time-of-Day rate can save money and energy by running dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric vehicles and other high-energy-use appliances outside of peak hours, which are weekdays from 3 – 7 PM.
• Set refrigerators and freezers at most-efficient temperatures.
• Use a programmable thermostat. ENERGY STAR® estimates that homes with high heating and cooling bills, as well as homes that are unoccupied for much of the day, can save approximately $100 a year with an ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostat. In addition, PSEG Long Island offers rebates on smart thermostats.
• Commercial and residential customers may sign up for the Peak Load Rewards program. Visit psegliny.com/saveenergyandmoney/GreenEnergy/PeakLoad for more details.
• Close blinds and window coverings facing the sun to keep out the sun’s heat.
• Charge electric vehicles overnight.
• Install a high efficiency air source heat pump (ASHP) to lower energy usage in cold and hot months. Rebates are available  from PSEG Long Island.
• Get more cooling tips at psegliny.com/saveenergyandmoney/TipsandTools/66waystosave

Extreme temperatures and high electric demand can sometimes cause scattered, heat-related outages. During extreme heat, PSEG Long Island will have additional personnel available to address outages safely and as quickly as possible.

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PSEG Long Island
PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract.  PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company.