Using Gas Efficiently Natural Gas Safety-SMART! Home
Be an Energy Saver
You can do a lot to save natural gas in your home. Natural gas is a nonrenewable resource, which means we can't make more of it once the earth's supplies are gone. Here are some ways to make sure your household uses gas wisely.
Heating:
- Set your heating thermostat to the lowest temperature that still keeps your home comfy—some recommend 68° F by day and 55° F by night.
- Close all window coverings at night to retain indoor heat.
Close doors quickly when you enter or leave a house where heat is on. - Ask an adult to make sure the fireplace damper is closed when the heating system is on so heated air doesn't escape up the chimney.
- Ask an adult to change heating filters at the start of each heating season.
Appliances:
- Use a clothesline when possible.
- Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it.
- Wash and dry full loads of laundry.
- Clean out the dryer lint filter before each load to improve airflow and reduce fire risk.
Bathing:
- Take short showers or half-full baths.
- Water-saving showerheads help conserve even more.
- Tell an adult about any leaky faucets.
Cooking:
Set the flame just high enough to cover the pot bottom. It saves energy and is safer than a higher flame.- Cover pots when cooking.
- Don't open the oven too often.
