Heating and water heating account for most of your gas bill. Fine
tuning these two areas will make the most dramatic impact on what
you pay each month.

Walton EMC Natural Gas offers these tips for efficient energy use:

• Your heating unit's filter may not be easy to access, but it's worth the effort. The filter on some units can be in the attic or crawlspace, as Marketing Specialist Cindy Haddon shows. Change or clean your filter (depending on the type) at least every other month.

  Maintain your heating system. Keep the filter clean and move furniture and rugs from over vents inside the house. Have a licensed contractor give the unit a tune-up and inspection. If your system is old, consider upgrading.
   
• Help your system do its job. Put on long sleeves or use a blanket. Consider installing a programmable thermostat. It's possible to save up to three percent for every degree lower you can set the thermostat during the winter.
   
• Open blinds and drapes during the day. Let the sun shine in during the winter for solar heating.
   
• Limit door and window openings.
   
• Don't waste hot water. Fix leaky pipes and faucets. Don't let hot water run when

  Member Services Representative Linda Brock checks for heating system leaks. Leaky ducts can waste up to one-third or more of the heating your system produces. That means you'll pay one-third more to heat your home.

  you're not in the shower. Install low-flow faucets and showerheads. Wash clothes in cold water. Lower the water heater thermostat to 120 degrees.
   
• Run appliances with full loads. Running the dryer or dishwasher with small loads uses the same amount of energy as running with full loads.
   
• Weatherize the building. Make sure insulation and attic ventilation are adequate.
   
• Avoid comparing your present bill with the bill from a previous house. Homes turn out to be very different when it comes to energy features, construction techniques and the efficiency of the heating equipment.
   
• Avoid comparing bills with a neighbor. No two families have the same energy habits and attitudes.
   
• Remember how cold it might have been just a few weeks ago. The bill you get in the mail today is really a reflection of what took place up to five or six weeks ago.