LEARNING CENTER

Conserve Energy and Save Money

• Heating and cooling account for approximately 55% of the energy used in the average home. To help save on your utility bill, set your thermostat at 78° during summer and 68° during winter.
• Instead of filling the tub to take a bath, take a shower. If you reduce your shower time, you use less hot water – helping save even more.
• Water heating is the second biggest energy consumption in your home. Set the temperature of your water heater at 120° to help save energy.
• Clean or replace the filter in your heating/cooling system monthly.
• Check your home for leaks around doors and windows. Seal any leaks. Add insulation around walls, floors and ceilings.
• Household lighting can add up your utility bill. When you leave the room, turn off the light.
• Use a microwave instead of a conventional oven whenever possible.
• Use only cold water in garbage disposals. It not only conserves energy, but also prevents plumbing problems as well.
• Use low wattage bulbs where lighting is not critical.
• Run the dishwasher only when it is full. Use energy-saving cycles and skip the drying cycle.
• A compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) can save $40 or more in electricity costs over its lifetime. CFLs use less energy than incandescent bulbs, produce the same light and last up to 10 times longer.
• Fix any leaky, dripping faucets or toilets. A faucet dripping two drops per second can waste up to 200 gallons of water a month.
• Dry one load of clothes immediately after another to minimize heat loss.
• Keep your outside air unit clean and clear of debris or weeds.

Resources: Energy Brochures (PDF Downloads)

Videos: Benefits of Natural Gas Appliances

Interactive Tour: How Water Works

Click the image to the left for an interactive virtual tour of how water is collected, treated, and used in a typical municipal water supply system. The tour will open in a new browser window.