LOS ANGELES, Oct. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition
of Energy Efficiency Day, Southern California Gas
Co. (SoCalGas) today reminded customers that taking a few
simple steps to conserve energy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions
linked to climate change, and save money on utility bills. In the
last five years alone, SoCalGas energy efficiency programs
delivered more than 208 million therms in energy savings,
enough natural gas usage for 127,000 households a year. These
advances have also helped save SoCalGas customers over $229 million in utility bill costs. Last year, a
study by Energy Futures Initiative determined that energy
efficiency is one of the most cost-effective and beneficial tools
available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach California's climate goals.
"National Energy Efficiency Day provides an opportunity to shine
a light on simple steps we can all take to help improve the
environment and save money," said Brian
Prusnek, director of customer programs and assistance at
SoCalGas. "As a leader in energy efficiency, we are committed to
continuing to offer our customers programs that help make their
SoCalGas bill more affordable and also promote energy
efficiency."
SoCalGas offers rebates on hundreds of home appliances and
products that help conserve energy and reduce costs. An energy
efficient appliance can help save customers thousands of dollars in
energy bills over its lifetime. For example:
- A tankless water heater can save about $1,500
- An efficient traditional water heater about $200
- An energy efficient furnace will save a customer about
$550
- A smart thermostat, which can learn a customer's schedule and
temperature preferences can save $125
Last month, SoCalGas announced that it was increasing
rebates by 50% on energy efficient appliances and smart thermostats
through the end of the year. Customers can apply for rebates
quickly and easily from a computer or mobile device by visiting
socalgas.com/rebates.
In addition to its energy efficiency rebate program, SoCalGas'
Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program provides eligible
customers with home improvements, at no cost to the renter or
homeowner, that help conserve energy, reduce natural gas use and
enhance the safety, health, and comfort of the renter or homeowner.
SoCalGas provides this service to approximately 100,000 customers
each year. Over 1.5 million homes have received upgrades through
the ESA program. To learn more, please
visit socalgas.com/assistance.
While energy efficient appliances and home improvements can help
save energy and money, they aren't the only way to do so. Customers
can take these steps to reduce their natural gas use and keep
energy costs affordable:
- Lowering your thermostat three to five degrees can save up to
10 percent on heating costs.
- Install proper caulking and weather-stripping; this can save
roughly 10 to 15 percent on heating and cooling costs.
- Wash clothes in cold water to save up to 10 percent on water
heating costs.
- Clean or replace your furnace filters according to manufacturer
recommendations.
- Have your air ducts tested for leaks. Leaky ducts can increase
heating and cooling costs by 10 to 30 percent.
- Turn down the temperature on your water heater.
- Take shorter showers to reduce your natural gas use.
- Fix leaky faucets and pipes. Hot water leaks cause increased
demand on the water heater, which increases natural gas use. One
drop of water per second can waste 500 gallons of hot water per
year.
To learn more about SoCalGas' energy-saving programs and
services, or for more information on how to more efficiently
manage natural gas usage and possibly reduce monthly natural gas
bills, please visit SoCalGas' website at socalgas.com or
call (800) 427-2200.
Energy Efficiency Day is a collaboration between regional and
national organizations aimed at helping individuals and
organizations save energy and save money. Customers can find out
how to participate by visiting energyefficiencyday.org.
About SoCalGas
Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas® is
the largest gas distribution utility in the
United States. SoCalGas delivers
affordable, reliable, clean and increasingly renewable gas service
to 21.8 million customers across 24,000 square miles of
Central and Southern California, where more than 90 percent of
residents use natural gas for heating, hot water, cooking, drying
clothes or other uses. Gas delivered through the company's
pipelines also plays a key role in providing electricity to
Californians— about 45 percent of electric power
generated in the state comes from gas-fired power plants.
SoCalGas' vision is to be the cleanest gas utility in
North America, delivering
affordable and increasingly renewable energy to its customers. In
support of that vision, SoCalGas is committed to replacing 20
percent of its traditional natural gas supply with renewable gas by
2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by
dairy farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is
also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure
while keeping bills affordable for our customers. From 2014 through
2018, the company invested nearly $6.5 billion to upgrade
and modernize its pipeline system to enhance safety and
reliability. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra
Energy (NYSE: SRE), an energy services holding company based
in San Diego. For more information
visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas
on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas)
and Facebook.
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SOURCE Southern California Gas Company