Laclede cares about your safety, comfort and your pocketbook, so here are household tips to help you enjoy natural gas from Laclede Gas as efficiently as possible. And we’re not just talking about smart wintertime habits. These are ideas that can save you money all year long.
Home Heating Tips
Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators regularly. Make sure they‘re not blocked by furniture, carpeting or drapes.
Have your gas furnace inspected in late summer/early fall to ensure proper performance and safety.
Keep your thermostat low in the winter. Each extra degree adds about 4 to 5 percent to your heating bill. When you leave for the day or over the weekend, lower the setting about 5 degrees. For longer absences, lower the thermostat to 55 degrees (but don’t set it lower because your pipes may freeze).
Never use your oven, range or outdoor grill to heat your home. These appliances are not designed for home heating.
Cooking Tips
On a gas range, use the smallest flame possible – flames should never exceed a pan’s width.
Water boils faster in covered pans. Add a lid and save time.
Cook vegetables in small amounts of water. Avoid overcooking, which reduces nutritional value.
Preheat the oven only when necessary (when you bake cakes and quick breads). The broiler needs preheating only for rare steaks.
Each time you open the oven it loses about 20 percent of its heat. Save energy by keeping the oven door closed while cooking to prevent heat loss.
Hot Water Tips
Take short showers instead of baths.
Always keep the thermostat on your hot water heater no higher than the “normal” setting.
Avoid running water unnecessarily while shaving or brushing teeth.
Laundry Tips
Always look for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping for appliances.
Use cold water to pre-rinse dishes for the dishwasher and for washing clothes.
Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
Don’t over-dry your clothes in the dryer, which can ruin delicate clothing and waste gas.
Dry towels in a separate load from lighter-weight items.
Source: Laclede
