GRU customers woke up to freezing temperatures again this morning that are forecasted to continue throughout the rest of the week. During the winter season, utility safety and energy efficiency become even more important. GRU urges customers to observe the following precautions for the comfort and safety of their families:

Water Pipe Safety

• To prevent flooding from frozen pipes, cover all exposed outside pipes with insulation, thermal tape, cloth or several layers of newspaper
• Run a very slow but steady stream of running water
• Disconnect and drain all hoses from outside faucets

Natural Gas Safety

• If customers smell a strong odor of gas in the home, gather everyone up and go outside to a safe location and call 911. Do not operate any electrical switches, and leave the door open on the way out.
• Purchase and install a carbon monoxide detector that meets UL standards. If the detector sounds an alarm, go outside immediately and call 911
• Never use a gas oven to heat a home

Electric Safety

• Check cords on space heaters to make sure they are not frayed, and check the heaters to make sure they are operating properly
• Never operate a space heater near curtains or anything that is flammable
• Do not overload power strips beyond their ratings

GRU also advises customers to implement the following energy efficiency measures to keep heating costs down:

• Set thermostats at 68 degrees or lower when heating. Bills increase up to 4 percent for each degree above the recommended setting of 68 degrees.
• With a furnace or standard electric heating, turn the system off or down when away from home for longer than 2-3 hours
• Customers with heat pumps should set thermostat at 68 degrees and leave it there to avoid using the emergency heat setting
• Dress for the weather. Shorts and T-shirts inside are for summer, sweaters, slippers and afghans can keep customers comfortable while keeping the home at 68 degrees
• Check heating system’s filters once a month and clean or replace as needed
• Weatherize homes. Heating bills can be reduced by 10 to 25 percent by simply caulking, sealing and weather-stripping around all windows, outside doors or where plumbing, duct work and electrical wiring penetrate exterior walls, floors or ceilings

Find out more about how to save money during heating season with GRU's energy savingtips , online energy tools and rebate information.