Dial It Down Alert, Energy Incentives Available: Baldwin Park

BALDWIN PARK, CA —We know you love your gas fireplace, and that thermostat keeps creeping up with the damp, cold weather, but officials are advising residents to conserve natural gas until further notice.

The Southern California Gas Co. Tuesday issued a "Dial It Down" alert, encouraging Southern Californians to reduce their natural gas use, specifically in the evenings when natural gas is typically at peak use.

During periods of cold weather, local demand for natural gas for home heating, hot water and cooking can increase rapidly and put a strain on the natural gas system, according to the utility.

Dial It Down alerts are similar to Flex Alerts issued by the California Independent System Operator that call on customers to voluntarily conserve electricity for a specific period.

To reduce natural gas use during the alert period, SoCalGas customers can take simple steps, like setting their thermostat to 68 degrees when home and 55 degrees when not home, according to the utility.

Others tips include washing clothes with cold water; taking shorter hot showers; reducing the temperature on water heaters; running only full loads of dishes and clothes; using low-flow shower heads; keeping windows and doors closed when the heater is on; and dressing warmer.

More information on SoCalGas' Dial It Down alert energy conservation program can be found at socalgas.com/dialitdown.

SoCalGas also noted the activation of its Smart Therm demand response program, a partnership between the utility and participating smart thermostat manufacturers that aims to conserve natural gas during some cold weather events. If you have not enrolled in Smart Therm, visit your thermostat app.

Nest users were offered Winter Rush Hour Rewards, for users who burn less energy. Winter Rush Hour reward members are eligible to receive a $50 incentive, plus an additional $25 for staying enrolled through April 1.

When the gas company calls a Smart Therm Event, enrolled customers are sent notifications through their smart thermostat, smartphone app or via email -- depending on the manufacturer -- letting them know that their thermostats will be automatically adjusted for four hours from 5-9 a.m. or 6-10 p.m.

Customers who enroll in the program agree to allow their smart thermostats to be automatically lowered by as much as four degrees when a Smart Therm Event is called, and can manually adjust their thermostat at any time.

Photo, courtesy Ashley Ludwig, Patch Editor