CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest cold snap has Chattanoogans reaching for their thermostats. With more cold weather expected, Chattanooga Gas Company is reminding low- and fixed-income customers that energy assistance is available.
Chattanooga Gas has partnered with the Tennessee Department of Human Services and Partnership for Families, Children and Adults to conduct an educational town hall meeting to help those who have trouble paying their utility bills with the assistance they need to stay warm this winter. The meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. in the conference room of the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults offices at 1800 McCallie Avenue.
"Now is the time to act before these funds are depleted," said Steve Lindsey, vice president and general manager of Chattanooga Gas. "By being proactive and taking advantage of these energy assistance programs, low- and fixed-income consumers can get help with their energy payments.
"We are coordinating with civic organizations, faith-based organizations and community leaders to hold this informational meeting to spread the word about the program and help people sign up," he said. "We encourage our customers to attend this meeting to learn how to get the assistance they need."
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is federally-funded through a grant from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. LIHEAP provides funds to the states to help meet the utility costs of low- income eligible households. In Tennessee, the program is administered through contracts to a network of 19 established non-profit and local government agencies experienced in providing energy assistance programs. Services are available in all 95 counties.
The program provides energy assistance to eligible households that need help with the cost of home heating. Eligibility is based on household income. LIHEAP will take applications through June 15, 2007 or until funds are depleted. Customers that have received funds previously still must apply for LIHEAP each year. For application locations call 423-757-5524 or 423-757-5227.
"We also will be providing weatherization tips at Wednesday's meeting. We want to remind consumers that there are some simple conservation measures that can significantly reduce a family's energy costs," Lindsey continued. "By weatherizing their homes, homeowners can maximize home heating efficiency and benefit from substantial savings on their energy bills."
Heat that escapes homes through leaky windows and doors is a significant source of energy loss. Chattanooga Gas estimates that these leaks require heating units to work 30 to 40 percent harder. Inexpensive caulk, spray-foam and weather stripping can keep cold air from blowing in. Leaky air ducts should be taped or sealed, and ducts in the attic or crawl space should be insulated. Also, since warm air rises, make sure the attic is adequately insulated.
Consumers should schedule an inspection of their home heating system with a licensed contractor at least once a year. Homeowners can save as much as a couple hundred dollars by making sure heaters are running at peak efficiency.
"We want to make certain that all our customers stay warm this winter," Lindsey said. "Customers who are struggling to pay their utility bills are encouraged to attend this meeting to learn how they can keep their heat on and manage their heating budgets."
Editor's Note: Attached is a list of weatherization tips that may be used in conjunction with this release.
About AGL Resources
AGL Resources, an Atlanta-based energy services holding company, serves 2.2 million customers in six states through its utility subsidiaries - Atlanta Gas Light, Elizabethtown Gas in New Jersey, Virginia Natural Gas, Florida City Gas, Chattanooga Gas, and Elkton Gas in Maryland.
Ranked by Forbes as one of the 10 Best Managed Utilities and No. 250 in the Forbes Platinum 400 as well as No. 647 on the Fortune 1000 and No. 40 in the Fortune gas and electric utilities sector in 2006, AGL Resources reported revenue of $2.7 billion and net income of $193 million in 2005. The company also owns Houston-based Sequent Energy Management, an asset manager serving natural gas wholesale customers throughout the East and Midwest. As a 70 percent owner in the SouthStar partnership, AGL Resources markets natural gas to consumers in Georgia under the Georgia Natural Gas brand. AGL Networks, the company's telecommunications subsidiary, owns and operates fiber optic networks in Atlanta and Phoenix. The company also owns and operates Pivotal Jefferson Island Storage & Hub, a high-deliverability natural gas storage facility near the Henry Hub in Louisiana. For more information, visit http://www.aglresources.com/.
About Chattanooga Gas
Chattanooga Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources , provides retail natural gas sales and transportation services to approximately 61,000 customers in Hamilton and Bradley counties in southeast Tennessee. The Chattanooga Gas service area includes the communities of Chattanooga, Cleveland, Red Bank, East Ridge, Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain. For more information, please see http://www.chattanoogagas.com/.
Winter Weatherization Tips
Making homes more energy-efficient is a way to save on your energy bills. The investment of an hour with a caulking gun and some extra insulation will pay off for you, as a homeowner.
Some easy ways to save:
1. Add weatherstripping and caulking to doors and windows. As much as 30
to 40 percent of a home's energy load is attributed to outside air
penetrating the house.
- Add weatherstripping tapes that adhere directly to door or window
frames for a tight seal.
- Fit foam or rubber weatherstripping into the gaps around your
doors or windows.
- Install rubber or foam bottom seals under doors.
- Add a door sweep to seal the gap at the bottom of a door from
drafts.
2. Change disposable air filters in your furnace once a month.
3. Have your furnace inspected by a professional at least once a year.
4. Check for appropriate insulation around the pipes, walls, attic and
floor. Choose the right R-value, which is a measure of insulating
power. Higher R-values mean greater insulating power, which provides
greater household energy savings and cost savings. Look for R-values
on insulation packaging or talk to a Natural Gas Advantage
professional.
5. Turn down the water heater's thermostat setting to about 120 degrees
and switch to "vacation" setting when you'll be away for a few days.
- When washing clothes, use warm or cold water - not hot - and rinse
with cold water.
- Install a low flow showerhead. Showers use less hot water than
baths.
6. Use a programmable thermostat. Set at 68 degrees during the day, 65
degrees at night and 55 degrees when no one is home.
7. Close off unoccupied rooms and close heating vents.
8. Use exterior doors farthest from the thermostat.
9. Use the sunlight to warm rooms. Close drapes and blinds at night to
retain heat.
10. Wear more layers of clothing and warmer, insulated clothing while
indoors.
11. Put extra blankets or a down comforter on the bed.
12. Make sure that dishwashers, washing machines and dryers are fully
loaded before running.
13. When it's time to replace appliances, choose those with high-energy
efficiency ratings.
14. Install storm or thermal windows and doors.
Energy Saving Tips
Follow these tips to help reduce your energy use:
Water Heater
- Lower the temperature setting on your water heater to 120 degrees.
Check your owner's manual if you have a dishwasher. Certain model
dishwashers require a higher temperature to clean effectively.
- Fix leaky faucets.
- Install low volume showerheads and faucets if you have an older home.
Newer homes are required to have these restricted flow devices as part
of the building code.
- Install a water heater insulation wrap around the sides of the water
heater. Never put insulation on the top of the heater or near the
bottom.
- Use the proper water level setting on your clothes washer for the size
load of clothes. This helps save on your water bill too.
Clothes Dryer
- Separate heavier clothes (towels, heavy cottons) from the lightweight
fabrics (synthetics) for more efficient drying.
- Only do full loads, but be sure not to overload the dryer. Select the
proper setting and time for the type and size load.
- Clean the lint filter before every load. Refer to your owner's manual.
- Don't add wet clothes during the drying cycle.
- Don't over dry clothes. Use the automatic moisture control if your
dryer has one, or select the appropriate amount of time on the
automatic timer.
- Be sure the outside vent is free of any obstructions and the vent cover
fully opens when the dryer is in use.
Cooking
- Cover pots and pans with lids when cooking.
- Cook food at high heat to bring to temperature then reduce to complete
cooking.
- Adjust the flame to fit the bottom of the pot or pan. Turning up the
flame beyond the bottom only wastes energy.
- Keep burner surfaces clean.
Heating
- Add insulation to the attic.
- Lower the thermostat when no one is home. Install a programmable
thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature each day.
- Clean or replace all filters at least once per month.
- Have the system inspected and maintained regularly.
- Keep all heating and return vents free of all obstructions for proper
air flow.
For more information:
Chattanooga Gas: http://www.chattanoogagas.com/
American Gas Association: http://www.aga.org/
National Association of Home Builders: http://www.nahb.org/
U.S. Department of Energy: http://www.eren.doe.gov/
