Energy-Saving Tips

Lower Your Use, Limit Your Costs.

One of the first steps you can take in controlling your natural gas costs is to find out where you use the most natural gas and see if you can use less in those areas. Heating your home probably makes up the majority of your natural gas costs. But other areas, like water heating, can also add up to raise your bill.

Here are a few ideas to get you started on managing your natural gas bill.

• Heating Tips
• Water-Heating and Laundry Tips
• Dishwasher Tips

Heating Tips

• Purchase an efficient heating system. If you're thinking about purchasing a new heating system, look for ENERGY STAR® models. These are the most energy-efficient models on the market, and they can save energy, save money and help the environment.
• Don’t let heat go up the chimney. If you have a fireplace, make sure the flue is closed when you’re not using it.
• Distribute the heat evenly. Ceiling fans set at a slow speed push warm air away from the ceiling and move it around the room without creating a chilling breeze. This spreads the heat more evenly and will make you feel more comfortable.
• Tune up your heating system. Have your heating system tuned and inspected by a service professional. Losses from a poorly maintained system accumulate over time — sometimes at a rate of 1% to 2% each year.
• Insulate properly. Make sure your walls and attic are properly insulated. Adding fiberglass insulation in your attic is one of the most cost-effective savings measures and one that you can do yourself.
• Seal leaks. Leaks develop in all air ducts over time. Sealing leaks in ducts can reduce heating costs by up to 20%. Reductions of 10% are not uncommon.
• Lower your thermostat. Lowering the thermostat by as little as 1°F typically reduces your heating bill by 1% to 3%. Most energy experts recommend setting the thermostat to 68°F or less, and several degrees cooler overnight. Make sure you lower your thermostat if you are leaving the house for any length of time. You use less energy to heat the house up when you return than to keep it heated while you’re away.
• Conserve with a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat lets you easily lower the thermostat when no one is home, as well as lower the temperature overnight, without having to freeze while waiting for the house to heat up later. You might save as much as 20% on your heating costs and recover your investment in the first year.
• Use the sun’s heat. Open drapes and shades during the day to let in the heat from the sun.
• Replace single pane windows. Not only are they inefficient, but worn and dirty windows can be unsightly as well. Replacing them with energy-efficient windows is a major investment, but in colder climates, the heating savings can be considerable.
• Caulk. Caulk windows and doors to prevent drafts.
• Insulate outlets. Electrical outlets let cold air into the house. Remove the outlet covers and insert special insulation underneath. Use special insulating plugs in all outlets that are not being used.
• Turn off the pilot light. If your heating system has a pilot light, turn it off during the summer.

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Water-Heating and Laundry Tips

• Buy ENERGY STAR® models. If you're thinking about purchasing a new clothes washer or dishwasher, look for ENERGY STAR® models. These are the most energy-efficient models on the market, and they can save energy, save money and help the environment.
• Fix drippy faucets. A faucet that leaks one drip per second can waste 400 gallons of water a year. If the water is hot, you will pay the cost of heating that 400 gallons, plus the cost of the water itself.
• Upgrade your showerheads. Federal standards limit new showerheads to no more than 2.5 gallons per minute, because the energy and water savings are enormous. Replacing older showerheads with low-flow units could save a family of four as much as 15,000 gallons of water per year, reducing the associated water heating costs as well.
• Install a water softener. Install a water softener unit in-line before the water heater. This will prevent sediment from building up in the bottom of the water heater.
• Turn down your water heater. Lower the temperature of your water heater. This not only saves energy, but it reduces the chance of scalding. A 10°F reduction in temperature saves about 13% of your water-heating costs. A temperature setting of 120°F is fine, unless your dishwasher doesn't have a booster heater.
• Insulate your water heater. Wrapping your water heater with an insulating blanket can help you save. To see if your tank needs an insulation blanket, place your hand on the tank. If it feels warm, then you need a blanket.
• Insulate water lines. Simple valves, known as heat traps, can be attached to the water lines near the water heater to keep heat from escaping. You can recoup your investment in about two years if you use natural gas.
• Rinse with cold water. Most people in the appliance industry agree that cold water washes just as effectively as warm. By eliminating warm rinse cycles, the average consumer with natural gas water heating will save.
• Soak your clothes first. Soak cycles can allow for shorter wash times. For heavily soiled clothes, instead of a heavy wash cycle, try soaking and then using a shorter wash cycle.
• Use shorter washing cycles. Sort clothes by degree of dirtiness. Use shorter wash cycles for lightly soiled clothes.
• Eliminate small loads. Your clothes washer uses just about the same amount of energy regardless of how much clothing is being washed. Washing two small loads uses approximately twice as much energy as combining them into one full load. By combining loads, you reduce the number of loads you wash, which in turn reduces your energy use.
• Front-loading washers are more energy-efficient. If you're thinking of replacing your washing machine, consider a horizontal axis, or front-loading, unit. These machines can reduce energy use by more than 50%, use significantly less water, require less detergent and shorter drying cycles and reduce wear and tear on clothes.

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Dishwasher Tips

• Minimize pre-rinse. Newer dishwashers are better able to handle heavily soiled dishes and require less pre-rinse.
• Load properly. Proper loading takes full advantage of the spraying action of your dishwasher. Load dishes according to the dishwasher manufacturer's instructions.
• Wash full dish loads. Your dishwasher uses the same amount of water regardless of how many dishes are washed. Wash full loads whenever possible.

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