COLUMBUS, OH – October 2 marks National Energy Efficiency Day, and Columbia Gas of Ohio is reminding customers that small changes around their homes can result in energy savings during the colder months ahead.
- Maintain your furnace: Schedule your annual furnace tune-up, ideally before the first cold weather arrives. A licensed HVAC technician can make sure your furnace is clean and safe before its season-long workout. Remember to change filters following the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Adjust the thermostat: Save energy on cooler days by setting the thermostat to around 68 degrees Fahrenheit while you are awake and setting it lower while you are asleep or away from home. Smart and programmable thermostats can help you schedule temperature adjustments. Leave your curtains and blinds open on sunny days to use natural light as a source of heat during the day.
- Save on water: Do not set your water heater temperature higher than 120 degrees to help save energy and avoid scalding. When using the dishwasher, opt for the short cycle and turn off the drying cycle when possible.
- Seal cracks and leaks: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, fixing leaks around the house can reduce energy expenses by five to 30 percent. Spending a day caulking or weatherstripping your windows and doors will help seal air leaks, which may be significant energy drains.
- Buy ENERGY STAR® products: Look for ENERGY STAR labels when purchasing new appliances. These products have been certified as high-efficiency and low-energy, consuming up to 65 percent less energy than non-certified alternatives.
For room-by-room suggestions to use energy more efficiently, customers can visit columbiagasohio.com/energy-efficiency.
Columbia Gas of Ohio’s WarmChoice® program provides qualified customers with free weatherization services. This year-round service includes a home energy inspection with safety checks on natural gas appliances and energy efficiency upgrades.
As a reminder, customers who smell the rotten-egg-like odor of natural gas should stop, leave the area, and call 911 and Columbia Gas at 1-800-344-4077 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.
