WICHITA, Kan. — Oct. 2, 2019 — Although it might not feel like it, fall is officially here and cooler temperatures will soon cascade upon Kansas. As families start preparing personally with hoodies or their favorite seasonal caffeinated beverage, they should also think about how to get their homes ready, too.
“Taking a few steps today before it gets cold will save your family money and provide peace of mind when temperatures start to dip,” said Black Hills Energy Kansas General Manager Jerry Watkins. “Black Hills Energy strives to be the safest energy company in the country, and we know this can be accomplished with the help of our customers.”
Black Hills Energy is recommending the following safety and efficiency tips for customers across Kansas.
Ways to stay safe
- Natural gas smells like rotten eggs for a reason. If your nose picks up this scent, immediately leave the area, and call 911 once you’re away from the site.
- Wait for Black Hills Energy or emergency personnel to arrive before re-entering the building. Emergency personnel will let you know when it’s safe to return.
- Never use a mobile phone, touch a light switch or start an engine while near a suspected gas leak.
- Ensure your home is equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, and never use gas ranges, ovens or clothes dryers to heat your home.
Ways to reduce energy costs
- Prevent heat loss. Cut heat loss by caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows.
- You can save as much as 10 percent a year on your heating bill by simply turning your thermostat back 10 percent to 15 percent for eight hours.
- Clean your furnace filter monthly, and follow any other routine maintenance procedures described in the owner's manual. Dirty filters make your furnace run much harder and circulate dirty air through your house.
- It’s recommended to have your furnace inspected by a professional once a year. Along with providing safe, reliable natural gas, Black Hills Energy also performs furnace inspections for an added fee to prevent a minor nuisance from becoming a costly concern.
“The continued low price of natural gas results in exceptional value to Kansans who pay an average of $57 for their monthly residential bill,” Watkins added. “Although that’s lower than most other bills Kansans pay, we also provide emergency utility assistance thanks to our Black Hills Cares program.”
Black Hills Cares works with local nonprofits to distribute financial aid to customers who show need. Last year, Black Hills Energy and its customers distributed more than $101,000 in utility assistance in Kansas. To access this program, simply call United Way’s, 2-1-1, or visit www.211.org to be connected to a specialist for assistance.
Kansans looking for help with their Black Hills Energy bill can visit BlackHillsEnergy.com or call 1-800-504-2000 to schedule a seasonal furnace inspection for an additional fee.