Energy Conservation Tips

Winter Gas Savings Tips

The timing of winter cold snaps can be unpredictable. You shouldn’t have to say the same about your home’s comfort and energy bill. Here’s a list of a few small changes that can help make a big difference all winter long.

Natural Gas Heating

• Clear the area around vents. Blockages from furniture and drapes make your heating system work harder. Along with saving money, removing these obstructions allows your rooms to warm up more quickly.
• Use the sun to your advantage. Open curtains and blinds on cool, clear days.
• Check your filters. Clean or replace your filters according to manufacturer recommendations.
• Ensure your furnace is in good working order. If your furnace is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with today’s more efficient models to save money all winter long. NMGC offers rebates up to $425 when you have a licensed and insured participating contractor install a high efficiency gas furnace or boiler.

Thermostat

• Update your thermostat schedule. Set your thermostat to match the season’s shorter and cooler days.
• Gently nudge down the temperature. Save up to 10% on heating costs by lowering your furnace thermostat by three to five degrees Fahrenheit, health permitting.
• Consider a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats automate energy use around your schedule, preferences, and the weather. Using one can help you save up to $100 per year—plus you can get a $50 rebate from NMGC when you purchase a new smart thermostat.

Clothes Washers

• Wash laundry in cold water. About 90% of the energy consumed for washing clothes is used to heat the water. Unless your clothes have oily stains, washing with cold or warm water can clean your clothes just as effectively.
• Follow detergent instructions carefully. When filled with too many suds, the washing machine’s motor works harder than necessary.
• Unless circumstances require it, avoid the sanitary cycle. This cycle uses extremely hot water and can increase energy use.

Clothes Dryers

• Sort drying loads. Separate lightweight and heavy clothes for more energy-efficient drying.
• Double up. Dry two or more loads in a row to take advantage of the heat still in the dryer.
• Clean the lint filter before drying each load. This will help keep your dryer from overworking.
• Keep the area around the dryer clean. Remove any lint or dust from the back of the dryer, the exhaust, and behind the lint screen.

Natural Gas Stovetops and Ovens

• Don’t preheat your natural gas oven if you don’t have to. For breads and cakes, preheating may be necessary, but for most foods, like casseroles and broiled items, it may not be.
• Don’t open the oven door while food is cooking. You can lose up to 50 degrees in temperature and waste energy.
• Use pots and pans that fit the burners—or adjust the flame to them—to absorb more of the energy and reduce the amount of heat lost.

Dishwashers

• Air dry dishes. Skip the drying option on your dishwasher to help save energy.
• Select shorter wash cycles. Choose the “short wash” cycle on your dishwasher if your dishes aren‘t covered in last night’s lasagna. It saves water, and the energy used to heat it.

Water Heaters

• Set your water heater thermostat at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. You can reduce the amount of energy it takes to produce and maintain your hot water by not overheating it.
• Insulate your hot water tank. While newer models come pre-insulated, if you have an older tank, especially those in unheated spaces, consider wrapping it with an insulation blanket. Look on the tank’s label to see if it has an R-value of at least 24. If not, consider adding external insulation.
• Consider the age of your water heater. NMGC offers rebates up to $300 when you have a participating contractor install a high efficiency ENERGY STAR® certified storage or tankless water heater. An efficient model can save you hundreds of dollars over its life.

Insulation

• Check your insulation. Nine out of 10 U.S. homes are under-insulated. Looking across your attic, if the insulation is level with or below floor joists, you likely need more. NMGC offers a rebate for 40% of the cost, up to $1,000, when you have a licensed and insured participating contractor add insulation to your home’s attic or roof and crawlspace.

To learn more about NMGC rebates, and find a participating contractor, visit nmgcgetrebates.com or call 1-888-NM-GAS-CO (1-888-664-2726). 

Interested in learning more ways to save?

Home Energy Analyzer

Save money by finding your home’s energy leaks today! The Home Energy Analyzer is a free, confidential online tool that helps you better understand your own home’s energy use.

You’ll get a customized savings estimate and recommendations for your home in just five minutes. No sign-up or personal information is required. Visit nmgc.energysavvy.com to get started.