(Columbus, OH) – As National Energy Efficiency Day approaches on Oct. 1, Columbia Gas of Ohio is sharing tips that can help customers lower their energy usage and save money on their bill during the colder months ahead.
- Maintain your furnace: Before the first frost arrives, schedule your annual furnace tune-up. A licensed HVAC technician can make sure your furnace is clean, safe and ready for its months-long workout. Don’t forget to change the filter!
- Set the thermostat: You can save energy and money on your bill by using your thermostat's schedule function. On cooler days, set the thermostat to around 68 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re home and lower it while you’re asleep or away. On sunny days, open your curtains and blinds to use the sun to warm up your home.
- Save on water: You can save energy and avoid scalding by setting your water heater temperature to 120 degrees or lower. When washing your dishes, use the dishwasher instead of washing by hand. You can also save by using the short cycle and letting dishes air dry.
- Seal cracks and leaks: Keep your home warmer and more energy efficient during the colder months by sealing cracks and leaks around your home. Before the first frost, spend a day caulking and weatherstripping your windows and doors to help seal air leaks, which can be a significant source of energy drain.
- Buy ENERGY STAR® products: Shopping for new appliances? Look for the ENERGY STAR label. These appliances are certified as high-efficiency and use up to 65 percent less energy than non-ENERGY STAR alternatives.
Customers can save on their bills by spending some extra time this fall preparing their homes to be more energy efficient. For room-by-room tips on how to make your home more energy efficient, visit ColumbiaGasOhio.com/Energy-Efficiency.
Income-eligible customers may benefit from the WarmChoice® program, which provides qualified customers with free weatherization services year-round, like air sealing, natural gas appliance repair or replacement, wall insulation, and more.
In addition to helping our customers stay warm and in service, our top priority is keeping our customers safe. If you smell the rotten egg-like odor of natural gas, stop what you are doing, leave the area, and call 911 and Columbia Gas at 800-344-4077 from a safe location.
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About Columbia Gas of Ohio
Columbia Gas of Ohio delivers clean, dependable and efficient natural gas to approximately 1.5 million customers across the state. With headquarters in Columbus, it is the largest natural gas utility in Ohio. Columbia Gas of Ohio is one of six regulated utility companies of NiSource (NYSE: NI), one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States. NiSource employees are focused on our mission to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value to our customers, and guided by our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner. More information about Columbia Gas of Ohio and NiSource, including its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2040, is available at www.ColumbiaGasOhio.com and www.NiSource.com.
