With the end of Daylight Savings Time and residents prepare for winter, NV Energy is offering the following winter safety and energy efficiency tips as more time is spent indoors using electricity to heat and light homes to a comfortable setting.
• Open window coverings on the sunny side of your home to take advantage of free heat from the sun and be sure to close window coverings on cloudy days or right after the sun sets to keep heat in the home.
• In colder months, set the thermostat to 68 degrees when home, and then to 55-68 degrees when unoccupied.
• Close foundation vents in the winter months.
• Run full loads in your washer, dryer, and dishwasher.
• Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.
• Have your heating system serviced once a year.
• Schedule an appointment with our PowerShift team to do a home energy assessment to check the efficiency of your home including insulation, window sealing, etc.
Additionally, NV Energy is offering advice to those in northern Nevada who may be starting to use natural gas-powered appliances like heaters and furnaces for the first time in months.
There are a few actions residents can take to ensure they’re ready for the winter season:
Keep the area around your gas meter and appliances in your home free of items for proper ventilation.
High hot water temperatures can be hazardous for small children and senior adults. NV Energy recommends the water temperature settings on water heaters be set at the normal or mid-range areas.
• Change your furnace filters.
• Do not block vents since natural gas appliances vent outside.
• Check the batteries in your Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector.
• Do not heat your home with an oven or stove as this can release dangerous carbon monoxide into the home.
• Have your natural gas heating equipment serviced once a year by a licensed contractor to perform a thorough inspection including the furnace, boiler, water heater, all pilot and burner chambers, venting systems, thermostats, and unvented space heaters.
The additional steps below can help ensure the gas meters and related equipment remain intact and functioning safety during winter weather:
• Heavy snow or ice can damage gas meters, either by falling off roofs or if piled on or near gas meters when clearing driveways and walkways.
• Do not use a shovel around gas meters; it is ok to use a broom to lightly brush off snow that collects on gas meters.
• Remember to locate pipelines by using the Call Before You Dig program at 811, and if you suspect a natural gas leak or experience a sulfur-like smell, leave the area immediately and call 911 and NV Energy’s 24-hour gas emergency line at 775-834-4100.