Summer Energy Tips

image of burgers cooking on natural gas grill

Get ready for summer!

Learn how rising temperatures can impact your bill and explore tips and tools to help you manage your energy use.

How warm weather affects your natural gas use

Manage your energy use and bill

Tips to reduce your energy usage

Summer safety tips

How warm weather affects your natural gas use

When it’s hot outside, you may end up using more energy. Understand how it happens:

Whether you're cooking inside or out, if you have a natural gas stove, oven or grill, you might use natural gas. Summer usually means more time at home—and more cooking. It brings back great memories, right?

All those extra showers can mean more hot water use—and more energy to heat it.

Manage your energy use and bill

Use our tools to help you track your usage and manage your energy bill, so you can make smart decisions all summer long.

Energy Analyzer

Energy Analyzer is your go-to tool for precise energy tracking. Monitor your use by the day, see the effects of weather and understand how your appliances impact your bill.

Budget Billing

With Budget Billing, you can say goodbye to unexpected bills. Get billed the same amount every month based on your past year's consumption.

Tips to reduce energy use

A few adjustments in your routine can make a big difference.

Grilling outdoors or cooking outside keeps your home cooler and reduces the need for air conditioning. And you won’t have to deal with lingering cooking smells inside your home!

Set your natural gas water heater to 120°F (49°C)—hot enough for comfort but more efficient. And remember, shorter, cooler showers can help reduce natural gas use.

Check for leaks in your ductwork and seal them. Duct tape works for a quick fix, or try our H ome E nergy S olutions S ervice for professional sealing.

Use a rolled towel or draft stopper to seal gaps under doors and windows and keep cool air inside. Access our Smart Solutions page for DYI or sign up for a low-cost home energy audit GetEnergySmart.com.

Try not to open the oven while baking—use the window to keep the heat in the oven and not in your home.

Shut off air conditioner vents in rooms you’re not using to focus cooling where it’s needed most.

Bring in the pros

Schedule a home energy assessment through our Home Energy Solutions Service to identify ways to improve efficiency.

We are here to help

Managing a higher bill during the summer can be challenging and we understand that. Visit our Help with Bill page and check the programs available to our customers.

Are you also a United Illuminating customer?

Explore our summer energy and safety tips for electric customers at uinet.com

Summer safety tips

From thunderstorms to digging, learn what to do to keep you and your family safe.

If you suspect a natural gas leak, get up, get out and get away! Then call us immediately at 800.513.8898 or 911 from a safe location.

Many of us decide to remodel or plant trees during the warmer season. But you can risk hitting and damaging underground utilities pipes and cables. Always contact Call Before You Dig before work begins so underground utilities are located and marked.

Always stay clear of overhead power lines. Whether you're trimming trees, flying a drone or setting off fireworks, maintain a safe distance and never touch a power line.

Only use electrical devices and extension cords labeled for outdoor use. These are designed to handle moisture and heat. When possible, choose battery-powered tools to reduce risk.

Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, such as metal fences. If you see a downed power line, stay away and notify the electric company.

In case of flooding:

Stay out of flooded basements! Energized wiring or outlets below the water line may pose a hazard. Natural gas service in a flooded basement may also pose a hazard.
Contact us to have electricity service turned off. You should never attempt to turn off electricity and natural gas service yourself.
Once flood waters have receded, it’s important you first work with an electrician and/or plumbing and heating contractor to have your equipment checked, repaired and ensure it’s safe. Depending on the electrical equipment impacted by flooding, an inspection by a certified electrical inspector may be required before service can be restored.