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November 7, 2003
Naperville, Ill. – Nicor Gas, Illinois' largest natural gas utility with more than two million customers throughout northern Illinois, today announced the availability of its energy efficiency guide, "Keeping the Warmth In and the Cold Out." The 10-page educational brochure features dozens of energy-saving tips to help families save on their heating expenses while remaining comfortable this winter.
Winter has just begun to wrap its blanket of cold around Illinois, and Nicor Gas believes it is important to make customers aware of energy efficiency improvements they can make at home. "Keeping the Warmth In and the Cold Out" offers a whole-house approach to energy conservation and includes more than 60 practical tips and solutions. For example, for every one degree a thermostat is lowered, a homeowner could save between four and five percent on their annual heating bills, depending on total usage and gas costs. Moreover, setting back a thermostat 10 degrees at night can save anywhere from five to 15 percent on annual heating costs.
A sample of additional tips from the brochure include:
- Have a qualified contractor inspect the home furnace. If repairs are needed, have a qualified contractor perform the work. If the furnace is dated, replacing it with a new, high-efficiency furnace can save valuable energy dollars. Also, furnaces consume less energy when they can "breathe," so change the filter monthly during winter.
- Weatherize seams, cracks and openings around windows, doors and baseboards, as well as small openings around television cables, dryer vents and plumbing pipes. Use caulk, sealant or weather stripping. Plugging air leaks could reduce monthly energy bills up to 10 percent.
- Set the temperature on the water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Water heating is typically a household's third-largest energy expense. For a family of four, lowering the water heater could reduce energy use by 15 percent.
- Adding insulation to the attic is a cost-effective way to reduce heating costs. According to the Department of Energy, if a home was built before 1980, there is an 80 percent chance that it lacks the proper insulation.
- Install a programmable thermostat to lower the temperature overnight and when away from home.
- Sealing heating and cooling ducts from the inside out can decrease the overall efficiency of heating and cooling systems by as much as 25 to 40 percent.
- Consider the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program for help. The program offers weatherization services to low-income households. Call 1 800-252-8643 to inquire.
The "Keeping the Warmth In and the Cold Out" brochure can be downloaded from www.nicorgas.com. In addition, the company offers information on natural gas costs and energy conservation in customer bills, bill inserts and newsletters. Customers can also call 1 888 Nicor4U (642-6748) for more information.
Nicor Gas is one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies. Owned by Nicor, Inc. (NYSE: GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe, reliable and cost-effective natural gas services for nearly 50 years. The Company serves more than two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information about Nicor, Inc., visit the Web site at www.nicor.com.
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