SAN DIEGO, April 21, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- With Earth Day 2005 just a day away, and as part of a long-term strategy to continue to provide affordable natural gas for the region, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is encouraging customers to include energy conservation in their efforts to help protect the environment and conserve natural resources.
"Using energy efficiently not only can help save customers money and make homes more comfortable, it also can help conserve natural resources for future generations," said Michelle Mueller, vice president of customer services for SDG&E.
SDG&E offered these energy saving tips:
-- Lighting. A home's lighting can account for about 12 percent of
a home's annual energy costs. To help cut down on energy use,
consider installing energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures.
Open blinds and curtains during the day to take advantage of
nature's light.
-- Air Conditioning. Set the thermostat at 78 degrees instead of
72 degrees and save up to 12 percent of cooling costs. Use fans
instead and save up to 78 cents an hour.
-- Refrigerators. The refrigerator is the one of the largest
energy users in the home, gobbling up about 20 percent of the
household's annual energy costs. Keep it in good condition by
checking the door seals, cleaning dirty condenser coils and
keeping it in a well-ventilated space. Set the thermostat to
between 38 degrees and 40 degrees.
-- Space Heaters. Space heating is the single largest natural gas
expense in most homes, accounting for about half of the annual
gas bill. Clean or replace furnace filters during heating
season use, or according to manufacturer recommendations. Lower
the thermostat by three to five degrees and turn it off when not
at home. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to
automatically regulate the home's temperature.
-- Water Heaters. Help save on water heating costs by lowering the
setting on the water heater thermostat. Since bathing can
account for more than 50 percent of hot water use, take shorter,
cooler showers rather than baths. Fix leaky faucets to prevent
hot water from being wasted. One drop of hot water per second
can waste 2,500 gallons per year. Wash only full dishwasher
loads.
-- Weatherization. Installing or upgrading attic insulation and
tightening the shell of the home can help conserve energy all
year round. Caulk and weather-strip drafty windows and doors to
help keep heat inside during winter and cool air inside during
summer.
-- Pool and spa. Natural gas spa and pool heaters use less energy
than electric ones and cost less to operate. Help save on
heating costs by lowering temperature settings and reducing the
number of hours the filter operates. Consider installing a
spa/pool cover. Besides helping to minimize heat loss, pool
covers also help prevent chemical loss and water evaporation.
-- Ovens/Cooktops. When using the oven, preheat only when the
recipe calls for it. Don't open the oven door while food is
cooking. Adjust the top burner flame to fit the pan size, and
then simmer after cooking starts. Cover pots when cooking.
Never use the gas range or oven for room heating -- they are not
designed for that purpose.
-- Washing machines. With any type of washer, conserve by washing
full loads or adjusting the water level to fit the size of the
load. Use cool or cold water when washing full laundry loads.
Most laundry detergents are made to clean just as well at cold
temperatures. Replace cracked hoses and fix leaky faucet
connections.
-- Clothes dryers. Clean the dryer lint screen before starting each
load. Dry full loads and don't over-dry clothes.
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.3 million consumers through 1.3 million electric meters and more than 800,000 natural gas meters. The company's service territory encompasses 4,100 square miles in San Diego and southern Orange counties. Exceptional customer service is a priority of SDG&E as it seeks to enhance the region's quality of life. SDG&E is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company. To learn more, go to www.sdge.com.