SCE&G natural gas customers break energy usage record

Recent extreme cold weather in South Carolina has driven SCE&G natural gas customers to use record amounts of natural gas, much like the record usage the company saw with electric customers. On Wednesday, Jan. 3, SCE&G customers used 345,736 dekatherms of natural gas, breaking the utility’s previous record of 331,233 dekatherms.

SCE&G employees worked in freezing temperatures, snow and ice to respond to customer calls and monitor gas infrastructure, ensuring reliable delivery of natural gas service and preventing any prolonged customer outages or losses of pressure across the system.

“Providing reliable natural gas service to customers in extremely cold weather begins with the planning, monitoring and maintaining of gas infrastructure that SCE&G employees do throughout the year, said Rusty Harris, senior vice president of gas operations for SCANA, parent company of SCE&G. “And when extreme cold weather arrives, these same dedicated employees work tirelessly to respond to service calls, ensuring customers can receive energy for heating that is so essential in severe cold weather.”

With the understanding that record energy usage creates the potential for increased energy costs, SCE&G encourages customers with concerns or questions about their energy bills to call customer service at 1-800-251-7234.

SCE&G offers customers these tips for helping manage their energy usage:

• Set thermostats to 68°F or lower (each degree higher can significantly increase heating costs).
• Set your water heater at 120 degrees and visually inspect the unit for leaks.
• Check air filters monthly and change when dirty.
• Check ductwork periodically for leaks or tears and repair as necessary.
• Have your central heating and cooling system serviced annually by a professional.
• Install a smart or programmable thermostat to allow you to raise or lower the temperature settings when you’re asleep or away from home.

For more energy efficiency tips, visit www.sceg.com/energytips.

About SCE&G

South Carolina Electric & Gas Company is a regulated public utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity to approximately 717,000 customers in 24 counties in the central, southern and southwestern portions of South Carolina. The company also provides natural gas service to approximately 362,000 customers in 35 counties in the state.