Most Americans are just like you - they use natural gas heat to warm their homes. Using energy wisely and taking the time to just check little things will make a big difference in how much natural gas you use and how much you spend on your natural gas bill. Below are a few tips to help you conserve energy and save money.

Use Energy Wisely

1. You can save as much as 10% on heating by simply turning back your thermostat 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day from its normal setting. Make this easier by using a programmable thermostat that will automatically reduce the temperature at hours when you aren't home or at night when you are asleep. Bear in mind that warmer temperatures are recommended for homes with ill or elderly persons or infants.

2. Turn down thermostats automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.

3. Change or clean furnace filters once a month during the heating season. Furnaces consume less energy if they “breathe” more easily. Use receipt of your natural gas bill as a reminder.

4. Warm air rises, so use registers to direct warm air-flow across the floor.

5. Close vents and doors in unused rooms and close dampers on unused fireplaces.

6. Set water heater temperatures at 120 degrees. A family of four, each showering for five minutes a day, uses 700 gallons of water each week. By lowering the thermostat on the water heater to 120 degrees, families can reduce water heating bills without sacrificing comfort.

7. Install water-flow restrictors in showerheads and faucets.

8. If radiators are located near cold walls, place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room.

9. Run washing machines and clothes dryers with a full load.

10. On sunny days, open draperies and blinds to let the sun's warmth in. Close them at night to insulate against cold air outside.

Keep The Cold Out

Consumers can take easy, inexpensive steps to reduce household energy consumption and minimize energy loss. Reducing air leaks could cut as much as 10 percent from an average household's monthly energy bill. For example, consumers can seal leaks around doors, windows, and other openings such as pipes or ducts, with caulk or weather-stripping.

The most common places where air escapes in homes are:

Plan for Long-Term Energy-Efficiency Improvements

• Check to see if attic and basement have the recommended levels of insulation.

• Check the heating system and replace old, outdated appliances with high-efficiency natural gas models. When buying new appliances, compare energy efficiency ratings and annual operating costs. Rebates Available

• Install storm or thermal windows and doors or double-paned glass. A less expensive alternative is plastic sheeting, which can be temporarily fastened over doors and windows to prevent drafts and retain heat.

Energy Saving Tips for Business

The following energy saving tips can improve your bottom line and benefit the environment.

• Upgrade to high efficiency lighting - replacing incandescent technologies with CFLs, HO T-8, T-5, and other application appropriate technologies can reduce lighting costs up to 75%.

• Install setback thermostats and check settings on existing units - If setback thermostats are installed, double check their settings and reset them if necessary to match seasonal operating hours and temperature requirements. You can reduce natural gas use by one percent for every one degree Fahrenheit you set back the thermostat.

• Ensure the energy management system is working properly - Make sure it is set correctly and operating properly. EMS often are set incorrectly, which wastes energy and money.  The savings will be substantial: you can reduce natural gas use by up to 20 percent by using an EMS correctly.

• Install boiler system controls - These controls, such as outdoor temperature resets, manage the boiler's operating temperature. They trim natural gas use during fall, spring and some winter warm spells. You will reduce the boiler's natural gas use by 15 percent to 20 percent for non-condensing boilers and up to 40 percent for condensing boilers.

• Maintain steam systems - a typical industrial facility can reduce steam system related natural gas use by 20 percent by (1) reducing leaks, (2) insulating piping, and (3) testing traps.

• Get a boiler tune-up every three to six months - Do not ignore basic maintenance; keep steam systems operating at peak efficiency and you will manage energy costs more effectively.   Routine maintenance can reduce facility energy use by two percent.

• Optimize hot water systems - Specifically, look for ways to reduce hot water consumption like (1) eliminate applications that do not require it, (2) adjust temperatures to 120 F, (3) Insulate hot water pipes, and (4) install high efficiency water heaters (e.g. .63 EF or 88% TE).

• Install and maintain heat recovery systems - heat recovery systems capture waste heat from refrigeration equipment, boilers, driers, furnaces and other manufacturing processes. This waste heat can then be used to meet other heating or hot water needs and displace the need for natural gas. If you already have a heat recovery system, make sure it is working properly.

• Add a variable frequency drive to your air handling system.

More energy saving tips for business customers are available from EnergySavers.gov

Energy Saving Tips for Residences