FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – February 10, 2021 – Whether you believe the ground hog or not, below normal cold temperatures will be felt across Arkansas for the next several days. With frigid winter air on the way, Black Hills Energy wants you to be prepared.

Here are some tips to keep you and your family warm and safe:

• Make sure that your furnace vent, gas fireplace vent and tankless/conventional water heater vents are free from any obstructions or debris.
• An annual furnace inspection will ensure your heating system is working efficiently and provide peace-of-mind from a safety perspective. Routine maintenance is a must. Be sure to follow the manufacture guidelines for changing furnace filters and inspect them monthly. 
• Never use gas ranges, ovens or gas grills to heat your home.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors and test them regularly. That includes replacing batteries.
• Natural gas smells like rotten eggs for a reason. If your nose picks up this scent, immediately leave the area, and then call 911 once you’re safely 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.

Black Hills Energy suggests the following energy-saving tips:

• Adjust your humidity. A well-humidified house at 68 degrees Fahrenheit is as comfortable as a dry house at 75 degrees.
• Make sure your fireplace damper closes tightly when you're not using it. Closing the damper could save 8 percent of your home's heat.
• Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans only as needed. In just one hour, these fans can exhaust a house full of warmed air.
• If health concerns aren’t a factor, set your thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter. Check the thermostat on your water heater, too. It should still be hot enough to wash dishes and take a steamy shower without having it at its highest level.
• You could save as much as 30 percent of your energy costs by better insulating your attic or top floor. You can save about 8 percent of your energy costs by insulating the floor over any unheated areas, such as crawl spaces, basements and garages.
• For more energy saving tips and rebates visit Energy-ReadyArkansas.com.

Black Hills Energy offers a number of programs to help customers effectively manage their energy bills. To help customers level out monthly payments and spread winter bills over the entire year, the company offers a budget billing program.  Energy payment assistance for any heating source is also available to Black Hills Energy customers and other residents in the Black Hills Energy Arkansas service area. Those seeking energy payment assistance can contact The Salvation Army at 1-800-227-2156.

“Black Hills Energy strives to be the safest energy company in the country, and we want our customers to stay safe and warm this winter,” said Chad Kinsley, vice president of Arkansas gas operations. “That’s why we’re sharing these important safety tips and why we offer several programs and services to assist our customer who may be struggling to pay their utility bills.”

To learn more about what the company is doing to assist customers, please visit blackhillsenergy.com/assistance or give us a call at 888-890-5554 to discuss options that may be available for you.