PG&E Helps Customers Manage Energy Costs and Save Money this Winter
February 19 2020 - 12:30PM
Business Wire
More than 70% of winter energy use comes from
heating system, water heater & washer/dryer
It’s wintertime which means natural gas appliances are working
overtime to keep homes warm and comfortable. Pacific Gas and
Electric Company (PG&E) understands increased usage can result
in higher energy bills and wants to equip customers with techniques
to help reduce costs.
The first step is helping customers understand which of their
appliances use the most energy in the home during the coldest
months. Being equipped with this knowledge helps customers make
informed decisions and make adjustments that translate to actual
savings on energy bills.
“It can be frustrating to make changes in the home to save
energy and not notice a decrease in your bill. We want to point out
where customers can change their habits and make small home
improvements that could add up to savings,” said Vincent Davis,
PG&E's Senior Director of Customer Energy Solutions
The heating system, water heater, and washer/dryer account for
more than 70% of winter energy use in the home. PG&E offers the
following tips to safely reduce the costs associated with these
natural gas appliances.
Ways to Save Energy this Winter
- Enhance Furnace Efficiency: Check furnace filters
regularly. Change out filters if dirty- or at least every three
months. A clean filter will prevent dust and dirt from building up
in the system which can lead to expensive maintenance and/or early
system failure.
- Improve Duct Performance: In a typical house about 20 to
30 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost
due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. Make sure all
connections at vent registers are well-sealed where they meet the
floors, walls, and ceilings. These are the common locations to find
leaks and disconnected ductwork. Many homeowners choose to work
with a professional contractor for duct improvement projects.
- Lower the temperature on your water heater: The
recommended temperature is 120°F. For every 10ºF reduction in
temperature, customers can save from 3%–5% on water heating costs.
Also take shorter showers and don’t leave water running.
- Wash Clothes in Cold Water:Use the cold water setting on
the clothes washer to use less energy on water heating, wash full
loads, and longer spin times reduce the amount of drying energy
needed. Water heating makes up about 90% of the energy it takes to
operate a clothes washer.
- Don’t Over Dry Clothes: If the dryer has a sensor that
automatically turns it off when the clothes are dry, use it. Dry
full loads and clean the lint trap before every load.
There are several things that can be done to help control energy
costs besides simply using less natural gas. One of the ways to use
less energy is to replace old, inefficient appliances with new,
more efficient ones. To find out what is eligible for a rebate and
easily apply online click here. For more tips on saving energy this
winter, visit www.pge.com/winter.
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 20,000 employees, the company delivers
some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in
Northern and Central California. For more information, visit
pge.com and pge.com/news.
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