West Virginia — and surrounding states — is in the middle of winter, which often means colder weather outside and higher heating bills inside.
To help customers minimize energy costs, while maximizing safety and comfort, Dominion Energy West Virginia offered a variety of simple, inexpensive conservation tips for natural gas heating, water heating, cooking and clothes drying, in a recent press release.
Heating
A furnace or boiler accounts for 65 percent of the natural gas used in the home. These low-cost, and even no-cost, tips can help keep out cold air and maximize comfort while reducing heating bills, according to Dominion Energy.
Save money by degrees: Customers can save 10 to 15 percent on annual heating costs by setting the thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and down to 58 degrees at night — or when no one is in the house for an extended period. A programmable thermostat will automatically raise and lower the settings to a preset schedule. The energy company recommends the system not be turned off, especially on very cold days, because the recovery time may negate any savings realized by the setback.
Clean or replace furnace filters: Check furnace air filters once a month during the heating season. If they become clogged, clean or replace them.
Annual inspection: Dominion Energy recommends annual furnace inspections by qualified, reputable heating contractors to ensure maximum winter heating safety, comfort and efficiency. An annual appliance inspection also can prevent potential carbon monoxide problems. Carbon monoxide detectors provide a second line of defense, but they should not be used as a substitute for an annual furnace inspection, Dominion Energy says.
Caulk around: Use inexpensive caulking around the fireplace mantle, inside windows and storm windows, electrical receptacle boxes, exhaust fan openings, pipes leading to bathroom fixtures, mortar cracks in chimneys, cracks in basement walls. Be sure to caulk around areas where the foundation meets the first floor plate and basement windows.
Don’t build a fire when the furnace is on: A roaring blaze can waste energy by drawing heated air up the chimney. If you do use the fireplace, turn down the thermostat. Close the chimney damper after the ashes are cold. Always remember to open the damper before lighting a fire.
Water heating
A water heater accounts for 25 percent of every natural gas dollar spent. Use these common-sense tips to maximize the value of a natural gas water heater:
Lower the thermostat: Set your water heater to “warm” or 120 degrees F, which is high enough for normal household needs. The 120 degree F setting saves energy, slows lime buildup and reduces the risk of burns from hot tap water, according to Dominion Energy.
Use less hot water: Take shorter showers instead of baths. Switch to lower wash water temperatures for all laundry loads and rinse in cold water.
Cooking
Ranges, ovens, grills and other cooking appliances, account for about 6 percent of natural gas use. These tips will help with energy savings while cooking:
Preheat the oven only when necessary: Preheat the oven at the temperature you intend to use for only 10 minutes. A higher setting wastes natural gas and will not preheat any faster.
Don’t peek: Every time you open the oven door, the temperature goes down 25 degrees. You end up having to use more gas to replace that lost heat.
Keep it under cover: Reduce cooking time and energy use by covering pots, pans and casserole dishes. Try cooking an entire meal in the oven. Bake pasta, rice or frozen vegetables with water in a covered casserole.
Clothes drying
Gas dryers account for 4 percent of total household natural gas use. These tips can help maximize energy value from the gas dryer:
Dry full loads: Save gas and money by combining loads. Always wash and dry a full load of clothes to make the best use of appliances and energy dollars.
Keep the lint screen clean: Clean the lint filter after every load. Unless the lint screen is cleaned, the dryer will not operate at top efficiency.
