PGW Offers Customers Tips on Managing Heating Costs and Staying Safe as Winter Weather Arrives
Posted on: Nov 17, 2022PGW helps customers prepare for winter with information on energy savings and energy safety
PHILADELPHIA (November 17, 2022) - In preparation for cold winter weather, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is sharing important information that can help customers save energy, manage heating bills, and stay safe at home.
Managing Energy Use and Lowering Heating Bills
PGW customers can take simple, economical steps to prevent heat from escaping their homes, which helps reduce energy usage and lower home heating bills. These include:
- Keeping doors and air vents closed in rooms that are not being used.
- Opening shades during the day to take advantage of the sun’s warmth.
- Covering bare floors with carpeting or rugs. The layers add comfort and retain heat.
- Caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows to reduce air flow.
- Installing a door sweep, or weather stop to keep cold air out and warm air in.
- When home, setting thermostats to 68 degrees, and adjusting thermostats to approximately 58 degrees if leaving the home for more than a few hours.
One of the most effective ways to manage energy use and reduce costs is to use a smart or programable thermostat, which can be automatically set to adjust temperatures when asleep or away from home. Smart thermostats with an instant $70 rebate are available through the PGW Marketplace.
Customer Safety at Home
While encouraging customers to utilize energy saving tips, PGW also urges customers to take the following measures to stay safe in their homes:
- Homes should be equipped with carbon monoxide (CO) detectors on each floor to alert residents of leaks of this odorless gas.
- Avoid using an oven or natural gas stove as a heating source, which can be dangerous and seriously harmful.
- Have the home’s natural gas furnace inspected annually. PGW customers may enroll in PGW’s low-cost Parts & Labor plan where a certified PGW technician performs equipment inspections and repairs through its Check and Adjust program.
- Place one smoke alarm on each floor of a home, including the basement. Philadelphia residents may request smoke alarms through Philly311 (via the app or by phone), which can be installed by the Philadelphia Fire Department. Test batteries on carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms and replace batteries twice a year.
Anyone who smells natural gas or any foreign odor must leave the area immediately and then call PGW at 215-235-1212. Call 9-1-1 if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
For more information on energy conservation and safe practices, visit pgworks.com.
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