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Natural Gas Savings with greeNEWit

October 31, 2012 Written by  Comments Print
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Did you know 55% of all homes in the United States use natural gas as a common source of heat? 99% of all natural gas used in North America is consumed in the United States. Typically, natural gas consumption is measured using therms. A therm factor is used by gas companies to convert the volume of gas used to its heat equivalent, and thus to calculate the actual energy use. One therm is approximately equal to the energy equivalent of burning 100 cubic feet (or one CCF) of gas. 

To date, greeNEWit has implemented gas saving measures by providing quick home energy checkups to multi-family properties and apartment complexes in the state of Maryland. Through this program, we’re saving 246,130 therms annually in the Baltimore Metropolitan service area. One therm is equal to 25,200 kilocalories which equals 25,200,000 calories. Through these retrofit solutions, we've saved the equivalent of 620,247,600,000 calories (yes, like the ones you eat). That’s also enough natural gas to support 250 homes for a year as the average customer uses almost 1,000 therms annually. 

Check out these 10 simple ways that you can conserve natural gas usage at home:

  1. Turn it off, turn it down, keep it clean.
  2. Specify ENERGY STAR steamers and fryers.
  3. Pay attention to the thermostat.
  4. Check the ductwork for leaks.
  5. Set heated make-up air duct thermostats to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
  6. Install low-flow pre-rinse spray valves.
  7. Repair all water leaks.
  8. Maintain the dishwasher and use it wisely.
  9. Tune up the hot water heater.
  10. Use your patio heaters wisely.

Click the link to view last week's blog post Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with eReaders or check back next week for more energy saving tips.