Natural Gas: The Efficient Energy

While natural gas is an abundant resource, it's still important to conserve.
Here are some tips to help you and your family learn how to stay warm while conserving energy

• Reverse your ceiling fans in the winter to distribute heat around a mom. There is a switch located at the top of the fan to do this.
  
  
• If you have radiators that are located near cold walls, place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room. Also, keep radiators free from clutter or mess.
  
  
• You can always install a humidifier to add moisture and comfort in your home if the air seems dry.
  
  
• If there are rooms in your house that you do not use, close them off by shutting the door and closing the vent to conserve heat.
  
  
• When bathing or cooking use exhaust fans sparingly. The heat and moisture that is given off will help to heat your home.
  
  
• If there is little or no floor insulation in your home you can add carpet or rugs to keep you cozy and warm.
  
  
• You can add natural gas space heaters as an alternative or addition to central heating. They are also great for emergency heating.
  
  
• Take advantage of Mother Nature on sunny days by opening draperies and blinds to let the sun's warmth into your home.
  
  
• To improve air circulation, clean or replace furnace filters regularly and have the entire system checked annually.
  
  
• To cut down on dust and lint, keep vents and chimneys dean. Also, remove the dirt from return air grills and warm air outlets.
  
  
• Always try to follow the manufacturer instructions for thermostat settings. In the winter set thermostat between 65 and 70 degrees
  Fahrenheit and at 58 degrees Fahrenheit when away from home for more than a few hours. Warmer temperatures are recommended for homes with ill or elderly people or infants.

There are also ways to prevent heat from escaping your home. Here are some tips to keep the heat inside your home.

• Make sure you have proper insulation. This will preserve warm air in your home and save money on your gas bill. If you need to know how to check your insulation, contact a contractor about how much your home should have.
  
  
• To prevent heat from escaping through doors and windows, install storm doors and windows or sheets of dear plastic Also, weather-strip or caulk cracks around the area. Duct tape is an inexpensive way to repair cracks, holes or separations in your ductwork.
  
  
• When you're not using your fireplace, make sure to close the damperthe air seems dry.
  
  
• If there are rooms in your house that you do not use, close them off by shutting the door and closing the vent to conserve heat.
  
  
• When bathing or cooking use exhaust fans sparingly. The heat and moisture that is given off will help to heat your home.
  
  
• If there is little or no floor insulation in your home you can add carpet or rugs to keep you cozy and warm.
  
  
• You can add natural gas space heaters as an alternative or addition to central heating. They are also great for emergency heating.
  
  
• Take advantage of Mother Nature on sunny days by opening draperies and blinds to let the sun's warmth into your home.
  
  
• To improve air circulation, clean or replace furnace filters regularly and have the entire system checked annually.
  
  
• To cut down on dust and lint, keep vents and chimneys dean. Also, remove the dirt from return air grills and warm air outlets.
  
  
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• To keep cold air from sneaking in through doors, place a rug at the bottom of the door. Also, limit going in and out of doors as much as possible.
  
  
• Keep curtains closed at night or on windy days to help stop cold air from getting inside your home.

Alagasco offers a variety of products and programs to help you save money and time. For more information please visit us on the Web at www.alagasco.com or call your local Alagasco office.