FAQs: Energy and Money Saving Tips

Blue natural gas flames with question marks

What energy saving tips can I implement in my home?

No one likes paying high natural gas bills; luckily, there are simple steps you can take in every room of your house to help you save.

Maintaining appliances like your natural gas oven and fireplace will result in savings. And don’t forget your basement; your natural gas furnace may be consuming up to 100 therms per month.

How can I save money on my natural gas bill?

If you’re looking for ways to lower your bill and save on natural gas, check out these 8 things you can do to save energy. We have more energy saving tips on our GasWise blog, including the most efficient thermostat settings for every season, how to avoid natural gas "hogs", and ways to cut your natural gas bill (that your parents didn't tell you about).

Follow our tips for more ways to save with SCANA Energy and you can cut costs in no time.

How can I save energy in the fall and winter?

As the weather cools down, natural gas bills tend to go up. But, it’s possible to keep warm in your home without breaking the bank. A few basic winterizing tips include:

Weather-strip your home to ensure cold air stays out.
Drain the sediment from your water heater to maintain its peak heating efficiency.
Lower the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees and insulate hot water supply pipes to reduce heat loss.
On cold days, adjust your thermostat to 68 degrees while you’re home, 60 degrees while you’re away, and 65 degrees while you’re sleeping.
Insulate your pipes to ensure your water heater isn’t working overtime when the weather cools.
Checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors before you begin using your fireplace and heater.
Limit hot water usage by decreasing your laundry loads and taking speedy showers. These small adjustments can go a long way toward cutting your natural gas bill.

Learn more about how to winterize your home with these seven simple steps.

How can I save energy in the spring and summer?

The temperature may be rising, but your energy bills don’t have to. By adjusting your thermostat settings in the spring and summer, you can spend less on your bills and more on the things you love.

On warm days, we suggest using a programmable thermostat to set your home’s temperature to 86 degrees while you’re away and 78 degrees while you’re home or sleeping.

But the savings don’t stop there. Here are a few more tips:

Drain your water heater’s sediment to increase its heating efficiency.
Install water-saving faucets and showerheads.
Repair leaky faucets.
Change your HVAC filters to ensure your air conditioner runs smoothly during the first heat wave – and to help conserve energy.
Keep drapes and shades closed on sunny days to reduce solar heat gain inside the house.
Install an attic fan to regulate the temperature in your attic and prevent hot air from penetrating your living areas on the hottest days.
When cooking, only use pots and pans that fit the burners to reduce the amount of heat lost.
Only run the dishwasher when it’s full; use the energy-saver cycle (no-heat drying).
Turn off the lights and enjoy a night eating under the stars this patio season.

See All Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Other questions? Call the SCANA Energy Contact Center at 1-877-467-2262 Monday through Friday from 7am to 8pm and Saturday from 8am to 5pm. You can also contact us on Twitter at @scanaenergy Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.