Citizens Gas Offers Safety and Conservation Tips

INDIANAPOLIS – Citizens Gas would like to remind customers about important safety and conservation tips during the very cold weather we have been experiencing.

“At the beginning of winter we forecasted slightly lower bills due to lower natural gas prices. This certainly was the case through the early part of winter, but the recent very cold temperatures could mean higher bills for February due to increased gas consumption,” said Greg Sawyers, Director of Customer Services for Citizens Gas. “We urge all customers to practice home heating safety measures and to take simple conservation steps like turning down their thermostat a few degrees. We want everyone to have a safe and warm winter heating season.”

Home Heating Safety:

• Smoke detectors save lives - Install smoke detectors on every level of your home. Citizens Gas is making free smoke detectors available through Community Action of Greater Indianapolis to people applying for energy assistance.
• Beware of carbon monoxide (CO) - Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home, especially near bedrooms. Carbon monoxide can be produced by a malfunctioning furnace or by fireplaces or space heaters that burn fuel. If you suspect CO, get fresh air and call 911 .
• Be very careful using space heaters - Keep space heaters away from anything that burns, like furniture and drapery.

Ways to Manage Your Heating Bill:

• Dial down - Turn down your thermostat at night or when you aren't home. Turning down your thermostat 10 degrees for an 8-hour period can save you about 8 percent on your heating bill. Installing a programmable thermostat can make this process easier.
• Change filter - Change your furnace filter at least monthly and have your furnace serviced annually by a licensed technician to ensure safety and efficiency.
• Budget billing - Sign up for Budget billing, which spreads the cost of winter heating into 12 equal monthly payments.
• Online tools - Go to citizensgas.com to use our free online energy management tools. The Citizens Home Energy Advisor provides a free home energy audit, and the Citizens Bill Analyzer helps customers understand how they are using energy.
• Seal your home - Install additional insulation, especially in your attic. Caulk around windows and doors.

Energy Assistance is Available

The biggest source of assistance is the state Energy Assistance Program administered by local Community Action Agencies throughout the state. Marion County residents in need of energy assistance should call Community Action of Greater Indianapolis at (866) 565-0197, their local trustee's office, or dial 211. People outside Marion County should call their local Community Action agency.

Citizens Gas also urges customers who are falling behind on their bill to call the utility at 924-3311. Citizens Gas can direct customers to various energy assistance sources, provide assistance through its Warm Heart Warm Home Foundation, and set up flexible payment arrangements, which can allow customers to catch up on past due bills.

About Citizens Gas
Citizens Gas & Coke Utility is a Public Charitable Trust providing efficient and reliable energy services to more than 266,000 customers in and around Marion County. The Public Charitable Trust means the utility is managed only for the benefit of customers and the community.

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