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Utilities

Winter is coming: Southwest Gas advises on best gas practices

Posted 11/17/20

With cooler temperatures on the way, Southwest Gas has released a set of helpful guidelines for reducing winter gas prices.

On average, the season brings about the highest gas bills in comparison …

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Utilities

Winter is coming: Southwest Gas advises on best gas practices

Posted

With cooler temperatures on the way, Southwest Gas has released a set of helpful guidelines for reducing winter gas prices.

On average, the season brings about the highest gas bills in comparison to the rest of the year due to increased heating necessities that cold weather entails.

According to Amy Washburn, Southwest Gas representative, the company has observed the winter months also have the highest amount of consumption from its customers.

“In Arizona, we had a little bit of a cold snap last week, but looks like it’s going to be warm again,” Ms. Washburn said. “But it’s inevitable, it’ll get colder.”

She explained that the reason the company decided to spread awareness of some helpful winter gas practices is so that before things get too cold, their customers can be better prepared for this season and in the future as well.

“We’re committed to distributing safe, affordable and reliable natural gas throughout the entire year,” Ms. Washburn said.

Among the tips, customers can help mitigate these costs by keeping their air conditioner at lower temperatures. SRP officials recommend daytime temperatures should remain between 65 degrees to 68 degrees and even colder at night, health permitting.

“As long as they’re helping and able to handle that type of temperature difference that’ll help save a little bit on the energy that’s used for heating,” Ms. Washburn said.

The company also suggests regularly changing and cleaning air filters, having a specialist regularly inspect furnaces, and sealing any leaks or cracks throughout the home to keep warm air from escaping. Ms. Washburn said that the combination of these practices helps to extend the life of the heating units and also encourages more efficient energy usage.

“Now is the time to really get all of that checked out and make sure that everything is operating properly in the most efficient way,” she said.

Some may be concerned that during the winter months, this increased use of heating products could lead to dangerous situations, like natural gas leaks that can harm consumers in their homes. Ms. Washburn reassured that just because it’s getting hotter in the house, as long as all of the systems are well-maintained, there should be no extra cause for concern this season.

“Nonetheless, those same safety precautions [that] are in place now [exist] as they are throughout the rest of the year,” she said.

Ms. Washburn did advise that if someone suspects that they may have a gas leak, they should report it immediately to Southwest Gas. A slight rotten egg or sulfurous odor and a hissing sound are both indicators that a home may have sprung a gas leak.

“Even if they’re unsure, it doesn’t cost anything and we respond to every single odor call,” she said.

Southwest Gas not only serves the Arizona community but also provide natural gas services in Nevada and parts of Southern California. Ms. Washburn recommends that consumers in all of their market audiences be wary of the winter gas behaviors to keep costs low and ensure a dependable gas supply.

“We’re so happy and proud to be able to provide safe and affordable and clean natural gas to our customers here in the valley,” Ms. Washburn said. “So we look forward to continuing to be able to serve.”

Reporter Caroline Yu can be reached at cyu@newszap.com

Southwest Gas,