Natural Gas Savings Tips

  • Maintain your heating system. Have your furnace inspected regularly by a qualified professional and change filters once a month.
  • Install a programmable thermostat; program it to 68 degrees when you’re awake and lower when you’re sleeping or away from home.
  • Turn down the water heater to no more than 120 degrees.
  • Conserve hot water (take shorter showers, wash full loads of clothes in cold water, only run your dishwasher when it is full, etc.).
  • Seal it up. Check for leaks around windows, doors, attics and other openings to the outside – caulk, weather strip and insulate to keep warm air from escaping.
  • Regularly check and/or replace HVAC filters every month during peak cooling or heating season.
  • When shopping for a new appliance, check that it has an Energy Star® label – this seal of approval means the appliance you choose will deliver the energy savings it promises.
  • Consider completing a home energy audit to learn how your home uses energy and potential changes you can make to improve the efficiency of your home.
  • BGE and Washington Gas participate in Maryland’s EmPOWER Maryland program — offering many plans to save your home energy and money. Programs include appliance rebates, HVAC, Home Performance with Energy Star®, Energy Star® New Homes, and other efficiency services and/or measures.
  • Also check https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver