Gas Saving Tips

Earlier this month, PG&E announced it was offering to customers reducing their December gas usage this year in San Francisco and San Mateo counties.

At that time, the company also announced it would credit customers 20 percent on utility bills for those using 10 percent less gas in January and February of 2011 than they had the previous year.

"Some of our Peninsula gas lines are operating at reduced pressure, so we're asking our customers in San Francisco and San Mateo counties to save gas this December," PG&E spokesman Joe Molica said in a Bay City News report.

The reduced pressure is a result of the Sept. 9 San Bruno gas line explosion. After the incident, PG&E reduced pressure at the request of the California Public Utilities Commission. They are hesitant to restore pressure until a cause for the explosion has been determined.

In order to redeem these benefits from PG&E, the company has provided the following tips on its website for saving on gas this winter:

• Lower the temperature in your home by just one degree (if between 60 and 70 degrees) to save 5 percent of your furnace's energy.
• At night, close your blinds and drapes in order to retain heat.
• PG&E recommends setting your thermostat to 68 degree during the day and 55 degrees at night. Also, turn your thermostat off when you plan to be gone for several hours.
• Let the sun help heat your house by opening your blinds on sunny days.
• Keep your water heater at a low temperature, such as 120 degrees.
• Wash your laundry with cold water.
• Keep your dryer's filter lint-free and outside vent clear.
• If you are reheating a small amount of food, use the microwave instead of the oven.
• Keep your gas burners clean. Yellow flames indicate gas may be burning inefficiently.

With these tips, you can stay warm while being green. 

Bay City News contributed to this report.