First Days of Fall are Perfect Time for Furnace Check-Ups, Winter Weatherization and Cold-Weather Preps

Peoples encourages customers to winter-proof homes to stay warm and save money

Autumn’s arrival means more than pumpkin patches, fall foliage, and apple cider: temperatures are steadily slipping and Western Pennsylvania winter is officially on deck. Peoples Natural Gas, an Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) company, alerts its customers and community to get ready for the cold now to save money and help keep your home safe and warm. 

Proactive maintenance of furnaces and other gas-powered or heating appliances serves multiple purposes. First, such work can identify issues before they become big problems that create serious safety concerns or require costly repairs. Additionally, regular inspections help appliances operate more efficiently, using less energy and leading to lower bills during the peak heating season.

Peoples safety and operations leaders recommend the following actions:

• Replace your furnace filter regularly, ideally at least three times during the heating season;
• Avoid using or storing flammable products near any gas or heat-producing appliances; and
• Ensure your furnace and indoor/outdoor vents are clear from obstructions including furniture, lint, dust, snow, and ice;
• Use the change in seasons to inspect smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing as needed;
• If you smell gas, leave the area immediately, then call 911 and Peoples at 1-800-400-4271; and
• Consult the Peoples website for more safety tips

Making your residence more resilient against cold temperatures can also make a major impact in comfort and costs incurred during colder months. While major moves like replacing old windows make homes more efficient, inexpensive updates can also make a meaningful difference in preventing heat loss.

“Simple measures like filling crevices around doors, windows or foundation cracks with weather stripping or caulking or placing 6-mil plastic over windows can pay for themselves in a single season,” said Peoples President Mike Huwar. “We encourage customers who are struggling with their gas bill to reach out to us: our teams are available to help.”

Peoples offers programs such as Budget Billing, which spreads higher winter heating costs across the entire year, as well as a variety of Customer Assistance Programs (CAP) for those who qualify. Programs can assist qualifying customers by making arrangements for payment plans, assist with emergency repairs, and more. Some programs are available year-round, while others, like the Dollar Energy Fund that begins accepting applications on October 1, can only be accessed during the heating season.

For more information, please visit Peoples-Gas.com/help or call 1-800-400-WARM (4276).