Tips to Maximize Natural Gas Efficiency & Safety with SCANA Energy

SCANA Energy believes it’s important for natural gas users in Georgia to know how to keep their appliances and HVAC systems running smoothly and efficiently. It’s best not to wait for something to break to fix it — something working is not the same thing as something working correctly. Maintaining your appliances and systems keeps them running at their best, which will help you save money and keep your home safe.

The Benefits of Natural Gas in Georgia

Homeowners across Georgia choose natural gas for its efficiency and reliability. Natural gas systems reach desired temperatures quickly, using less energy to do so. Plus, natural gas is there for your home no matter the weather. Natural gas users in Georgia don’t have to worry about power outages during severe weather. Stovetops, water heaters, and fireplaces that are powered by a pilot light will keep running no matter what Mother Nature throws their way.

SCANA Energy offers users various options when it comes to natural gas. We have variable rate plans for flexibility, fixed-rate plans for consistency, and carbon-neutral rate plans for the environmentally conscious. No matter your needs, there’s a natural gas rate plan that’s right for your home.

Maximize Efficiency and Safety

Now that we know a bit more about why Georgians choose natural gas, let’s get in to how to use that natural gas efficiently and how maintaining appliances keeps your home safe.

Energy Use Habits

Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to energy usage. These simple tips will keep your systems running efficiently and will help lower your energy bills:

• Optimize your thermostat usage based on time of day and who is in the home.
• Use energy-efficient appliances and turn them off when not in use. Atlanta Gas Light offers rebates when switching to energy-efficient natural gas appliances so you can save even more.
• Check out our blog for more information on energy savings.
  

Insulate and Seal Your Home

Proper insulation makes a huge difference when it comes to home energy use. Home insulation keeps all the air in your home, so you’re paying to heat your house and not the cold winter air outside.

• Check all your windows and outside doors to ensure no air is coming in (which also means no air is going out).
• Head up to the attic to see if it’s properly insulated to maintain the indoor temperatures below, paying special attention to any pipes in your attic.
• Look for and fix any potential air leaks across the home. You can even turn an air leak hunt into a fun activity on days when the family is stuck indoors!
• Don’t try to be a DIY hero. Recognize when it’s time to call a professional so you don’t cause damage and increase the risk of safety hazards.

Regular Maintenance of Natural Gas Appliances

Maintaining your appliances on a regular basis is an important factor when it comes to natural gas safety. Keeping appliances clean and well-ventilated prevents carbon monoxide build-up and fires. Plus, a well-maintained appliance runs more efficiently, saving you money on your energy bills. Here are some maintenance tasks you can do on your own:

Furnace/HVAC

• Change air filter regularly based on manufacturer guidelines (typically every 1–3 months)

• Ensure outside vents have no obstructions, like leaves, mud, or snow debris
• Calibrate your thermostat to make sure it’s reading temperatures correctly

  Water Heater

• Lower your water heater temperature to 120°F
• Regularly drain water heater sediment

Kitchen

• Keep your oven and stovetop clean by removing crumbs, cleaning the grates, and spraying down the stovetop
• Clean your dishwasher’s filter and remove mineral deposits from hard water so it can run efficiently and use less hot water
• Thoroughly clean your natural gas grill at least once per year

Other

• Clean dust and debris out of your fireplace and check the ventilation
• Occasionally run a vinegar cleaning cycle in your washing machine
• Scrub your dryer’s lint filter

These easy tasks can make a big difference when it comes to natural gas safety and appliance efficiency. You should also have a qualified professional regularly inspect your appliances to keep them in good working order.

Recognize Potential Issues

Identifying issues before they become a big problem is important for natural gas safety. Here are some signs your gas appliances may need some attention:

• Gas flames appear yellow or wavy (natural gas flames should be blue)
• Rust or corrosion on natural gas appliances or soot near burners or venting
• Dirty, clogged, or missing HVAC air filters
• Evidence of discoloration on or around the burner or vent area

If you notice any of these on one of your natural gas appliances, it’s time to call in a professional to safely fix whatever the issue may be.

Home Protection

Even the best cared for appliances will eventually experience failures from normal use. Fortunately, SCANA Home Warranty can protect you when that happens. With a home warranty plan, you won’t have to worry about unexpected expenses or the hassle of coordinating with contractors. Visit scanaenergy.com/home-warranty to learn more.

Emergency Preparedness and Safety Tips

Natural gas in Georgia is a safe way to supply energy for your home, but it’s still good to be prepared in case of emergency. A good way to ensure your family’s safety is to install a natural gas/CO₂ detector. This will sound an alarm if it detects natural gas/methane in the air, giving you plenty of warning to evacuate the area.

If you suspect a natural gas leak in your home, the first and most important thing to do is leave the premises. Once you’re in a safe location, call Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321 and wait for a professional to look for the leak in your home.

For those who aren’t sure they can detect a natural gas leak, just remember L.E.A.K.

• Listen for warning signs inside and outside your home. A faint hiss from your natural gas appliances and/or from within the ground may signal a leak.
• Eyes should be peeled for discolored flames and excess soot around a pilot light. Outoors, monitor for bubbling water, blowing dirt, and/or dead vegetation.
• Aromas can signal a natural gas leak as natural gas has an easily detected “rotten egg” smell.
• Keep away! If you suspect there is a natural gas leak, leave the premises immediately and call 877.427.4321 or 911.

Practicing safe natural gas practices in Georgia, like maintaining gas appliances and watching for signs of safety concerns, will help keep your home (and everyone in it) safe.

We are dedicated to our customers and are proud to offer tailored support for natural gas users in Georgia. While Atlanta Gas Light should be contacted in case of emergency, SCANA Energy is available to offer reliable support for homeowners. Our customer care center can be reached at 877.467.2262. An agent would be happy to help you guide you through any questions or concerns.

Now that you know how to maximize the safety and efficiency of your appliances, you can rest easy knowing you’re one step closer to being a natural gas expert. Now it’s time to put these tips to action so you can feel safe and save on your energy bills.