GASTONIA, N.C. (Dec. 3, 2018) – It’s Winter Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina. With winter right around the corner, customers can implement energy-saving measures to ensure they are using natural gas efficiently to help save on winter heating costs.

“Natural gas customers enjoy the most energy efficient appliances and the lowest cost for cooking and heating. However, we know that energy use tends to increase because of lower temperatures.” said Terina Cronin, PSNC Energy General Manager of Customer Service. “We encourage customers to practice easy, straightforward ways to save energy and hold down energy costs during the colder months ahead.”

Customers wanting to track their natural gas consumption and make more informed energy choices will benefit from the “My Energy Use” tool that PSNC Energy launched earlier this year. The tool allows customers to see average daily natural gas usage, average costs, and the impact changing weather has on energy consumption. Customers can access the tool by logging into their psncenergy.com account and clicking on the My Energy Use link.

• Manage your thermostat. Set the thermostat at 68° or as low as is comfortable during the day. A programmable or smart thermostat can automatically lower the temperature at night or when no one is home. Dressing to stay warm can also help.
• Check doors and windows. If necessary, caulk around windows and replace old weather stripping around doors to keep warm air in and cold air out.
• Replace air filters regularly. Dirty air filters can increase energy usage, damage the heating system and compromise air quality.
• Let the sun in. On sunny days, open curtains on sun-facing windows to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home. Close them at night to reduce any chill or drafts.
• Check your water heater. Set your water heater’s temperature to 120° unless it requires a higher setting as per the user manual.
• Measure attic insulation. Ensure it is at least 12 inches deep. Add more insulation (R-38 or higher) if needed.

Customers interested in avoiding seasonal spikes in their bill due to weather-related fluctuations in energy use can enroll in PSNC Energy’s budget billing program. Based on a home’s usage history, PSNC Energy will estimate bills for the next 12 months and spread that amount into 12 equal payments. For details on the Budget Billing program or to sign up, customers can call toll-free at 1-877-776-2427 or visit psncenergy.com/budgetbill.

PSNC Energy representatives can help with customers with payment concerns. Customer are encouraged to contact the natural gas utility before their bill due date by dialing 1-877-776-2427 between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday. More energy efficiency tips can be found by visiting psncenergy.com/save.

About PSNC Energy

PSNC Energy headquartered in Gastonia, N.C., is franchised to serve a 28-county service area in North Carolina. The utility distributes natural gas to more than 575,000 customers in 96 cities and communities, including the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill areas in the north central part of the state; the Concord, Statesville, Gastonia, and Forest City areas in the Piedmont; and the Asheville, Hendersonville, Brevard, and Sylva areas in the western part of the state. More information about PSNC Energy is available through the company’s web site at psncenergy.com, Twitter, Facebook.