PG&E Offers Ways to Dial up Savings and Safety this Winter
February 02 2021 - 11:45AM
Business Wire
Here are Home Heating Tips to Help Save Energy
and Stay Safe During a COVID-19 Winter
A comfortable indoor space is more important than ever with most
customers staying home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Longer nights,
colder days and more time at home could lead to using more natural
gas and increased energy costs. Pacific Gas and Electric Company
(PG&E) offers ways for customers to save energy, money and stay
safe during the cold winter months.
“Customers are spending more time at home than ever before as a
result of the ongoing nature of the pandemic. There are, however,
simple steps customers can take to lower their energy costs without
sacrificing safety or comfort,” said Aaron August, PG&E Vice
President of Business Development & Customer Engagement.
PG&E offers the following tips to safely reduce the cost of
keeping warm.
Ways to Save Energy this Winter
- Set thermostat for savings: Customers can save about 2
percent on their heating bill for each degree the thermostat is
lowered (if the turndown lasts a good part of the day or night).
Turning down the thermostat from 70°F to 65°F, for example, saves
about 10 percent.
- Control water temperature: Set the water heater
thermostat at 120°F or lower. This will reduce the amount of energy
it takes to produce and maintain hot water by not overheating
it.
- Test air ducts for leaks: In a typical house, 20 to 30
percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due
to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts.
- Microwave and save: Reheating leftovers in a microwave
takes less time and uses 80 percent less energy than a standard
oven.
- Energy-saving programs: Sign up for programs managed by
energy-efficiency specialists selected by PG&E, some are
offered at no cost.
- Income-qualified programs: Qualifying customers can
apply for a monthly discount through the California Alternate Rates
for Energy Program (CARE) or the Family Electric Rate Assistance
Program (FERA). Participants in the CARE program may also qualify
for the Energy Savings Assistance program.
For more tips on saving energy this winter, visit
www.pge.com/winter.
Fuel-burning appliances, such as gas furnaces, stoves, ovens and
water heaters can increase the risk of carbon monoxide leaks, a
toxic gas, when they are not working properly. Electric heating
devices, such as space heaters, can also be a safety hazard when
used improperly. Inappropriate use has been known to cause
fires.
Ways to Stay Safe this Winter
- Carbon Monoxide
- Never use products inside the home that generate dangerous
levels of carbon monoxide, such as generators, barbecues, propane
heaters and charcoal.
- Space Heaters
- Place space heaters on level, hard, nonflammable surfaces, not
on rugs or carpets.
- Don’t put objects on space heaters or use them to dry clothes
or shoes.
- Turn off space heaters when leaving the room or going to
sleep.
- Keep all flammable materials at least three feet away from
heating sources and supervise children when a space heater or
fireplace is being used.
If customers suspect there is a problem with a natural gas
appliance inside their home, they should call PG&E at
1-800-743-5000. If you detect carbon monoxide in your home, you
should get out immediately and call 911.
About PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a
subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the
largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the
United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 23,000
employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest
energy to 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For
more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.
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