Black Hills Energy

Money-Saving Energy Efficiency Tips for Your Household Gas Appliances

by Brandy Johnson, Regional Community Affairs Manager

Nothing beats a night out in Lincoln’s Haymarket. The smell of hickory smoke wafts through the air, and after dinner, you can take a stroll through the art alley and enjoy a scoop of cinnamon ice cream. Letting someone else do the cooking is a great way to save on your energy bill, but there are other simple steps you can take to conserve energy.  

Simple behavior changes and remembering the “dos and don’ts” of using natural gas appliances can go a long way toward lowering your energy bills, creating a more energy efficient home, and keeping more money in your pocket for a night out. 

Doing laundry isn’t the most popular chore but a few simple steps can help lower energy consumption. Natural gas dryers use 30 percent less energy than electric ones. Eighty to 85 percent of the energy used in washing clothes is from heating the water, so use cold water when you can. Try these tips the next time you start a load of laundry:

• Do run complete loads of laundry to be as efficient as possible and don’t run a partial load with just a few pieces of laundry at a time, to avoid using more hot water than necessary. 
• Don’t forget to clean the lint trap and regularly maintain dryer vents.
• Do plan your drying cycle. First dry larger, bulkier clothes, and then use a shorter cycle for smaller, lighter pieces. 
• Don’t jam too many garments into the washer or dryer.
• Most people only think about their hot water heater if their shower is a little colder than expected, but regular maintenance will help keep it running efficiently. Here are other ways to keep your hot water heater healthy:
• Do install flow restrictors and aerators. By installing water flow restrictors in showerheads and faucets, you could save up to 50 percent on hot water use without a noticeable difference in your shower. 
• Don’t take excessively long showers. Not only will you cut down on your water usage, but your hot water heater won’t have to work as hard. 
• Do lower the temperature setting to under 120 degrees can save up to 10 per cent on water heating costs.
• Furnaces and gas fireplaces are the workhorses in your home during the coldest winter months. In fact, 51 percent of homes in Nebraska enjoy the benefits of safe, reliable, and efficient natural gas. Add these tasks to help your home stay comfortable year-round:
• Do check your furnace filter and remember, there could be more than one. Dirty filters make your furnace work harder, which uses more energy. 
• Don’t keep things stored by your furnace, this could be a fire hazard. Additionally, check the interior heating vents around your house to ensure warm air isn’t blocked. 
• Do have your heating and cooling equipment inspected annually to identify any issues that lead to energy waste.

You can have a more energy-efficient home simply by incorporating a few new activities into your routine. For more energy-saving tips follow Black Hills Energy Team Ready on @BlackHillsEnergy-Ready on You Tube @bhenergy on social or blackhillsenergy.com/teamready.