NATIONAL GRID PREPARED TO MEET NATURAL GAS DEMAND FROM CUSTOMERS THIS WINTEREnergy Efficiency Measures Help Save Energy, Money and Help Protect the EnvironmentBROOKLYN -- With the official start of winter and cold weather just around the corner, National Grid has made preparations to ensure its natural gas system is ready to serve customers all winter long with safe, reliable and economical gas service. Now is also a great time for customers to prepare for the colder months too. National Grid has adequate supplies, delivery capacity and storage inventory to assure a reliable supply of natural gas to serve more than 1.8 million natural gas customers in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island. National Grid uses a variety of hedging strategies to secure natural gas supplies including long term and short term supply contracts and purchasing natural gas when it's less expensive during warmer months and putting it in storage, as a way to reduce the volatility of gas prices for customers. National Grid has had stable gas delivery rates for almost two decades. Since 2008 there had been a rate freeze in the Metro New York and Long Island areas. "National Grid has a longstanding commitment to its communities and gas customers to provide safe, reliable, excellent service at stable prices," said Mike Ruiz, director Community and Customer Management for National Grid New York. "Last winter's Polar Vortex pushed customer demand to record levels and our distribution system performed extremely well under very demanding circumstances." Natural gas utilities take numerous flexible approaches to supply planning and operations to fit their system and requirements. In addition to securing natural gas supply, utilities also rely on the support of a small group of Temperature Controlled (TC) and interruptible customers who take natural gas service when it's available and can switch to alternate fuel sources if needed. TC customers elect this type of service. On the coldest winter days when there is peak demand for natural gas, TC customers may be interrupted with notice by the utility to switch to their alternate fuel source. "It's our responsibility to provide safe, reliable natural gas service for our customers, especially during the coldest days of the year when they need it most to heat their homes," Ruiz added. "As we have prepared for the winter and cold weather, we encourage our customers to do the same by making sure their heating equipment is in good working condition and implementing some simple energy efficiency measures to help control cost and help protect the environment." National Grid is investing heavily in its gas infrastructure to modernize the network, ensure reliability, safety, and to connect customers to the energy they need to heat their homes and run their businesses in the most economic manner. Over the next five years National Grid is investing more than $3 billion dollars which includes an accelerated gas main replacement program to increase safety and help reduce methane emissions and expansion of the gas system to meet increasing demand and allow for more conversions to natural gas. Natural gas bills are expected to remain stable this winter because of lower natural gas supply prices on the wholesale market. No matter what the winter weather may bring, National Grid reminds customers that employing conservation and energy efficiency can help manage bills while maintaining comfort. Tune up for efficiency
  • Maintaining an efficient heating system is an important step to conserving energy. Have your heating system serviced once every two years, and never try to repair it yourself.
  • Have your chimney flue, space heaters, water heater and fireplace checked.
  • If your heating system has a filter, clean or replace it every month during the heating season.
  • Your furnace or boiler needs air to work properly (and efficiently). Don't close it off with walls, debris or other obstructions.


Turn down for savings
  • For every 1°F you set your thermostat back, you can save one to three percent on your annual heating costs.
  • Turn down the thermostat every time you leave the house for two or more hours, and every night before you go to bed. It takes less energy to warm up a cool house than to maintain a warm temperature all day and night.
  • Installing an automatic setback thermostat is an inexpensive, easy way to maintain comfort and cut heating costs. You can program it to turn the heating system up and down at pre-set times.


Insulate

  • Insulate your attic, walls, ceilings and floors to prevent heat escaping to the outdoors. Insulation improves your comfort as well as the efficiency of your home - and that means more savings for you.
  • Apply the same principle to your personal comfort. Wear several layers of clothing to keep yourself warmer while keeping the thermostat down.
  • Take advantage of the sun: open drapes during the day to capture warmth and close them at night to prevent heat loss through windows.
  • Seal air leaks
  • Cold air let in by air leaks can increase your energy use, so seal all holes and cracks where cold air can get in.
  • It's especially important to caulk windows and weatherstrip around door frames. Also, replace any broken panes on storm doors and windows.
  • Other air-sealing tips include, shutting off heat to unused rooms and closing the fireplace damper.
  • Remove window air conditioning units during the cold months to reduce drafts. If this isn't possible, cover the inside and outside of the unit with plastic.
  • You can also move furniture to warmer spots in the room to avoid cold drafts and stay more comfortable.


Additional efficiency tips can be found at National Grid's Energy Efficiency Services website. About National GridNational Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it 'joins everything up'. In the northeast US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com . Follow us on Twitter, Watch us on You Tube, Friend us on Facebook, Find our photos on Instagram.
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