10 Ways to Control Your Gas Bills and Stay Warm All Winter

The efficiency of many home heating systems is less than 50 percent. Raise the efficiency of your system and control your gas bills. You don't need to be an engineer. Just follow these tips:

  1. Install an ENERGY STAR® -qualified programmable thermostat. Set it to 68 degrees or lower during the day and 55 degrees at night (health permitting). Wear light-weight clothes in layers to stay warm.
  2. Turn your thermostat down when you go out. It’s less expensive to warm up your home after being away than to keep your furnace running.
  3. Have your ducts tested for air leakage. Seal leaks with mastic or non-cloth backed tape labeled UL181 B-FX.
  4. Maintain your furnace. Keep it clean, lubricated and properly adjusted.
  5. Clean or replace furnace filters regularly. Dirty filters reduce air flow. In most cases, they’re easy to change.
  6. Caulk and weather-strip. Seal around windows, door frames, and ducts.
  7. Install proper attic insulation to at least R-30 standards. Insulate walls, floors and heating ducts, too.
  8. Use insulated shutters or drapes. You’ll keep more warm air inside.
  9. Use passive solar heating on sunny days. Open drapes on south facing windows to let the sun shine in. Close them on windows that don’t get sun—and at night.
  10. Close your fireplace damper when you’re not using your fireplace. Warm air can escape if you don’t.

PG&E's residential energy-efficiency rebates can save you even more on your energy bills. To see what's available, see Rebates for Your Home.

This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

© 2007 Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

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