Atmos Energy is urging Texans to reduce their energy consumption as freezing temperatures persist.
Atmos released the advisory Sunday as dangerously cold weather will persist throughout Texas throughout the week.
Atmos Energy has asked industrial-scale corporate customers to limit their natural gas consumption and has been urged to comply.
Atmos Energy offered the following tips for reducing energy:
• Companies and large users of utilities must limit energy consumption as much as possible.
• Lower your thermostat to at least 68 degrees. Consider wearing extra layers of clothing and turning the thermostat down even further.
• Reduce the temperature of the water heater to 120 degrees, as it can account for as much as 25 percent of the energy consumption in your home.
• Shorten shower time and avoid bathing. Showering accounts for about 40 percent of the hot water consumption in your home.
• Disconnect electronic devices and turn off lights that are not in use. Saving electricity also helps conserve natural gas, which keeps the power on.
• Do not use large appliances such as your washing machine, dryer, oven and dishwasher for the next few days. Limit the opening of the oven door during use to avoid wasting energy.
• Keep the valve of your fire closed unless a fire is burning. Leaving the valve open is like leaving a window wide open – warm air will flow into the chimney!
• If you have a pool, do not use the pool heater. Instead, run your pool pump during the coldest part of the day to keep the water circulating and prevent freezing.
Atmos also reminds Texans how to stay safe at home:
• Never use an oven or gas stove to heat your home.
• Protect natural gas meters. Natural gas meters are weather resistant; To keep the meter running smoothly, remove snow and ice from natural gas meters with a broom or brush. Never kick or cut snow and ice with a hard object.
• Minimize the risk of frozen pipes. Run taps in a trickle, leave cabinet doors open, and close all doors and windows to keep the heat in.
• If you think you smell gas, act quickly. Leave the area immediately and from a safe distance, call 911 and the Atmos Energy emergency number at 866-322-8667.
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