With the return of extreme cold weather, Dominion Energy is asking its customers to take measures to conserve gas.

• Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 58 degrees at night. Also consider installing a smart, programmable thermostat to automatically raise and lower the settings to a preset schedule for ease. Learn more about your thermostat by visiting the U.S. Department of Energy web site.
  
  
• Lower the setting on your hot water heater to 120-125 degrees. Many water heaters are automatically set at 140 degrees. Lowering the temperature on your water heater to between 120 and 125 degrees will reduce the amount of fuel needed to heat the water.
  
  
• Keep metering equipment and vents clear. Snow and ice can damage metering equipment, and it is the customer’s responsibility to keep the metering equipment clear. Ice, icicles or water dripping on the meter could prevent safe and efficient operation of the meter and create a potentially hazardous situation. Snow or ice can also block the side wall vents of gas appliances; customers must keep those clear as well. Customers should remove any snow and ice from the meter and/or piping by hand.
  
  
• Annual inspections keep you safe, increase energy efficiency and prevent carbon monoxide issues. A qualified, reputable heating contractor should check your gas heating system each year. This is the best way to ensure your system is operating optimally. CO detectors provide a second line of defense, but they should not be used as a substitute for an annual furnace inspection. A single CO detector, placed in the sleeping area of a home, offers additional peace of mind.