Natural Gas Energy-Saving Tips

Natural gas is one of the most affordable and efficient ways to heat your Georgia home, but a few simple habits can lower your usage even further. The tips below help you reduce your natural gas consumption, trim your monthly bill, and keep your home comfortable through every season.

Set Your Thermostat Wisely

Heating accounts for the largest share of natural gas use in most homes. Small thermostat adjustments add up quickly over a Georgia winter.

Set your thermostat to 68 degrees in winter while you are home and awake. Each degree lower can reduce heating costs by roughly 1 to 3 percent.
Lower the temperature 7 to 10 degrees while you sleep or are away from the house.
Install a programmable or smart thermostat so setbacks happen automatically without sacrificing comfort.

Tune Your Water Heater

Water heating is typically the second largest use of natural gas in the home. A few adjustments cut waste with no loss of comfort.

Set your water heater to 120 degrees. Higher settings waste energy and increase the risk of scalding.
Wrap an older water heater tank and the first few feet of hot water pipes with insulation to reduce standby heat loss.
Fix leaky hot water faucets promptly. A slow drip can waste hundreds of gallons of heated water each year.
Take shorter showers and install low-flow showerheads to cut the volume of water your heater has to warm.

Seal and Insulate Your Home

Heated air that escapes through gaps and poorly insulated spaces makes your furnace work harder. Sealing those leaks is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce natural gas usage.

Add weatherstripping around doors and caulk around windows to stop drafts.
Seal gaps where pipes, wiring, and vents pass through walls, floors, and the ceiling.
Make sure your attic is properly insulated, since heat rises and escapes there first.
Keep the fireplace damper closed when it is not in use so warm air does not flow up the chimney.

Maintain Your Heating System

A well-maintained furnace burns less natural gas to deliver the same warmth. Seasonal upkeep keeps your system running efficiently and safely.

Replace or clean your furnace filter every one to three months during heating season.
Have your heating system inspected by a qualified technician once a year, ideally in the fall before cold weather arrives.
Keep vents and registers clear of furniture, rugs, and curtains so warm air can circulate freely.
Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to let in free solar heat, then close them at night to hold warmth in.

Use Gas Appliances Efficiently

Cooking, drying, and other everyday tasks use natural gas too. Small changes in how you use these appliances reduce waste over time.

Match pots and pans to burner size and use lids so food heats faster on a gas range.
Run the dishwasher and clothes dryer with full loads rather than several small ones.
Clean the dryer lint trap before every load to keep the appliance running efficiently.
When it is time to replace an appliance, look for high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR rated models.

Smart Billing Options

Reducing usage is the surest way to lower your costs, but the right rate and billing plan can make your spending more predictable. True Natural Gas residential customers may qualify for levelized billing, which averages the past twelve months of charges to even out seasonal swings. Fixed price plans lock in a commodity rate for the contract term, while market plans move with the monthly market.

If you have questions about your usage or want help choosing a plan that fits your home, contact True Natural Gas customer care at 770-502-0226.