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Energy savings tips

Tips for Saving Money and Energy

The energy choices you make are important. They affect the environment, certainly. They also affect how comfortable you are in your own home and how much money you spend. If you’re using natural gas today, you’ve already made a good choice for the environment, your home and your finances.

Conservation Tips

Below you'll find a variety of tips to save money and energy. Be sure to check out our current rebates and weatherization kits. Remember, it's important to use a highly qualified contractor when installing appliances, working around natural gas lines. Use our Find a Contractor tool here to search Virginia Natural Gas pre-qualified contractors for your needs.

Heating Your Home

  • Install a programmable thermostat
  • Keep your heating system tuned-up and clean
  • Improve your home's insulation
  • Seal air leaks
  • Upgrade your old heating equipment
  • Clean or replace your furnace filters every 1-3 months
  • Weatherstrip windows and doors
  • Block drafts of cold air
  • Close fireplace dampers when not in use

Water Heating

  • Set your water heater to 120 degrees
  • Take 5-minute showers
  • Install low-flow showerheads and faucets
  • Insulate water heater pipes
  • Turn your water heater off or down when you're away
  • Choose an ENERGY STAR water heater

Cooking and Baking

  • Try not to preheat your oven
  • Place lids tightly on pans when cooking
  • Keep your oven and burners clean
  • Use glass or ceramic pans when cooking in your oven
  • Keep the oven door closed while baking
  • Never use the gas range for room heating
  • Cook extras and refrigerate or freeze the leftovers
  • Barbeque or grill in the summer as much as possible

Clothes Drying

  • Clean the lint filter
  • Replace leaky exhaust terminals
  • Check the outside dryer exhaust terminal
  • Avoid overloading the dryer

Pools and Spas

  • Cover your pool and spa when not in use
  • Schedule an annual inspection of your heat exchanger
  • Don't over-clean
  • Set pool filtering and cleaning systems on timers
Learn even more ways to save

Glossary

Want to know what 'BTU' stands for or what defines a 'greenhouse gas'?

View Our Glossary of Energy Efficiency Terms

Are your natural gas-fueled appliances ready for change of season?

It is an excellent time to inspect appliances and schedule routine maintenance. As your natural gas needs change with the seasons, keep these tips in mind. 

Your checklist: 

Your October To-Do List
  • Hire a qualified specialist to inspect your furnace’s emergency shut-offs, controls and vents
  • Clear all heating systems of flammable materials or debris that might have accumulated during the summer
  • Check your vents for obstructions
  • Replace air filters
  • Lower your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit

Don't do this: 

Fall appliance checklist: Don't do this!
  • NEVER use a gas range as a space heater
  • NEVER put a space heater near curtains or flammable objects
  • NEVER leave the fan compartment door of your furnace open

Signs you need help: 

Fall appliance checklist: Signs You Need Help
  • Pale or wavy gas flames
  • Appliances that don’t vent outside
  • Missing or damaged valves
  • Visible corrosion, clogs or bad seals
  • Soot near burners or vents
  • Discolored burners, burner access doors or vents

Need financial assistance? 

Need Financial Assistance?
  • Residential Rebates
  • Virginia 2-1-1 Community Resources
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Payment Arrangement

Learn more about bill payment assistance;