Prepare Now - Energy Conservation

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In anticipation of high natural gas heating bills this winter, these tips are offered to help you cut down on your natural gas bill by conserving energy.

HEATING

• Budget Billing. Call your local gas company now and get on budget billing to help spread your gas costs throughout the year.
  
  
• Turn Down Your Thermostat. It's one of the most effective ways to cut your power consumption. If you can be comfortable with a slightly cooler home, lower the thermostat by a couple of degrees.
  
  
• Draw The Drapes. Close your draperies when it gets dark outside. This will help cut heat loss through windows at night.
  
  
• Move Furniture Away From Heating Registers. Blocking or restricting airflow makes heating systems work harder.
  
  
• Close The Door & Shut The Vents. In an electrically heated home, close heat registers and all doors leading to unused rooms.
  
  
• Change Your Furnace Filters. Clogged, dirty filters slow airflow in your heating system and cause your furnace to work harder and run longer. Consider having your furnace serviced and cleaned each season.
  
  
• Take A Look At Your Duct Work. Dust, lint and other debris can block air vents and reduce the efficiency of your furnace. Be sure to keep ducts and grilles clean. Also, take time to insulate ductwork that runs through unheated areas like crawl spaces or garages.
  
  
• Seal Out The Drafts. Replace any missing caulking in storm doors and windows to seal up the drafts. Install gaskets behind switch plates and electric sockets.

LIGHTING

• Use Less Wattage. Don't use a high-wattage bulb when a smaller one will do.
  
  
• Don't Over-light. Instead of turning on all the lights in a room, only use the ones that are in the area where you'll be.
  
  
• Turn Lights Off When You Leave The Room.
  
  
• Place Lamps In Corners. The light will reflect off two wall surfaces instead of one.
  
  
• Keep Those Fixtures Clean. Dirty bulbs don't give as much light.
  
  
• Switch To Fluorescents. Change your incandescent light bulbs to Fluorescents. Fluorescent bulbs are available to fit most fixtures, and they provide more light while using less energy.
  
  
• Paint Walls Light Colors. Light-colored walls give rooms a brighter appearance.

KITCHEN

• Use The Right Pot For The Job. If you're only cooking a small amount of food, use a small pot. It takes more power to heat a large pot. Also, use a flat-bottomed pot that completely covers the burner. This keeps heat from escaping.
  
  
• Take The Pan Test. If the flame is visible on the sides of the pan, lower the setting on your gas stove or cook top to conserve fuel.
  
  
• Put A Lid On It. When you put a lid on a pot or pan, heat is trapped and food cooks faster. Dinner is done sooner and less energy is used.
  
  
• Maintain An Oven-Cleaning Schedule. A dirty oven doesn't reflect heat as well as a clean oven does. That means it takes more energy to warm and maintain your desired temperature.
  
  
• Plug In Only What You Need. Many appliances draw small amounts of power when they're not in use. Plug in kitchen equipment only when you're going to use it.
  
  
• Don't Pre-Heat. Most recipes can be completed successfully without pre-heating the oven. If you must pre-heat for baking, turn the oven on for just a few minutes before putting your food in.
  
  
• Microwave When Possible. Because microwave ovens cook food 75% faster, they use less energy than conventional ovens.
  
  
• Keep The Oven Door Closed. Opening up the oven door lets out heat and drives up energy consumption. In the oven, try cooking several dishes with similar cooking temperatures at the same time.
  
  
• Use Your Crock Pot. If you're preparing a roast, use your slow cooker to cook the meat and any vegetables you will be serving with it. This eliminates the need to use both the oven and the stovetop.
  
  
• Keep The Refrigerator Full But Don't Overfill. Air needs room to circulate around food. If you have an extra refrigerator that you're not using, unplug it. Also, a full freezer is a more efficient freezer.
  
  
• Check The Gaskets. A bad gasket lets cold air out and makes your refrigerator or freezer work harder.
  
  
• Switch On The Power-Save. If your refrigerator is equipped with a power-save feature, use it. If you have an older, inefficient refrigerator, consider replacing it. New refrigerators are much more energy efficient.

WATERHEATING

• Don't Let The Water Run. If you're shaving, shampooing or brushing your teeth, turn the water on only when you need it.
  
  
• Take Short Showers. A short shower takes half the hot water of a tub bath.
  
  
• Wash Full Loads. Instead of running multiple loads of laundry, only run your washer when you have a full load. Use the hot water setting only when absolutely necessary. Rinse every load with cold water.
  
  
• Do Dishes Wisely. Wait until your dishwasher is full before running it. You'll do more dishes with less hot water.
  
  
• Turn Down The Tank. You can cut your power consumption by turning your hot water tank down to 120 degrees. If you have a dishwasher, set your tank at 140 degrees.
  
  
• Lose The Leaks. If your faucets drip, get them fixed immediately. Leaking faucets can waste gallons of hot water in a short period of time.
  
  
• Insulate Your Pipes. To keep the heat in your hot water, insulate the pipes leaving your hot water tank.
  
  
• Wrap Those Old Hot Water Heaters. A blanket of insulation keeps hot water hot by trapping heat in your tank. To be safe, remember to leave openings around electrical connections, thermostats, heating elements and drain valves. It is not necessary to wrap newer water heaters.
  
  
• Slow The Flow. Install flow restrictors on showerheads and faucets. Restrictors are easy to install and can significantly reduce the amount of hot water you use.

Additional Energy Savers

• Audit Your Home for Energy Savings. Conduct a simple audit yourself, contact your local utility, or call an independent energy auditor for a more comprehensive examination. Click on the links section to find out about state-sponsored weatherization programs.
  
  
• Drying Clothes Efficiently. If your clothes dryer has an automatic cycle, use it. Drying more than needed wastes energy and wears out clothes. Check and clean your dryer exhaust vent periodically. Remove lint after each load.