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As Pennsylvania welcomes a new season, Peoples Natural Gas urges its customers and neighbors to prepare their homes for fall and winter.
Tasks ranging from scheduling heating appliance inspections to testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can make a major difference in the safety of your home. Changing furnace filters, caulking cracks around doors and windows, and strategically opening and closing curtains throughout the day can make a larger difference in energy usage than many people realize. Before fall fades into a chilly winter, take the time to prepare your living space for the heating season.
Peoples safety and operations leaders recommend the following actions:
-- Replace your furnace filter regularly, following manufacturer recommendations;
-- Avoid using or storing flammable products near any gas or heat-producing appliances; and
-- Ensure indoor and outdoor vents are clear from obstructions including lint, dust, snow, and ice;
-- Inspect smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing as needed;
-- Add insulation around water pipes, especially those located along outside walls;
-- If you think you smell gas, immediately leave the area then call Peoples at 1-800-400-4271;
-- Consult the Peoples website for more safety tips.
Making your residence more resilient against cold temperatures can also make a major impact in comfort and costs incurred during colder months. Regular inspections of your furnace or heating appliance help it to run more efficiently, lowering usage and helping control energy consumption. Inexpensive upgrades like weather stripping, caulking or 6-mil plastic over windows help keep warm air in your home and cold air out.
"While gas operations teams focus on providing safe, reliable service to heat homes and water and cook meals as the nights grow longer and colder, our Customer Support teams are also busy helping customers who are struggling," said Peoples President Michael Huwar. "Whether you need advice on applying for assistance or ways to reduce bills by making your home more energy efficient, Peoples is here for you."
Peoples offers programs such as Budget Billing, which spreads higher winter heating costs across the entire year, as well as a Customer Assistance Program for those who qualify. Customers may also qualify for payment plans, emergency repair assistance, and more. Some programs are available year-round, while others, like the Dollar Energy Fund that begins accepting applications on Oct. 1, can only be accessed during the heating season.
For more information, visit Peoples-Gas.com/help or call 1-800-400-WARM (4276).