GRIMES, Ia. -February 4, 2021 – Powerful cold fronts have brought snow and blustery winds – reminding us how grueling the season can be. With dropping temperatures across Iowa, Black Hills Energy wants you to be prepared.

As temperatures dip, here are some tips to keep you and your family safe:

• 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.
• Make sure that your furnace vent, gas fireplace vent and tankless/conventional water heater vents are free from drifting snow. Gently brush the snow away using a soft broom or your hand, be careful to avoid vent damage.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors and have them inspected regularly. That includes making sure their batteries are fresh.

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 blow away 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.

Black Hills Energy also offers a variety of programs and services to help customers manage their natural gas bills. To help customers level out monthly payments and spread winter bills over the entire year, the company offers a budget billing program.

Ways to stay safe

• Natural gas smells like rotten eggs for a reason. If your nose picks up this scent, immediately leave the area, and call 911 once you’re 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.
• Do not turn on lights, ignite a flame, use a cell phone or use anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or a generator.
• Ensure your home is equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, and never use gas ranges, ovens or clothes dryers to heat your home.