Consolidated Edison of New York : Con Edison Customers Set New Record For Natural Gas Usage

NEW YORK - Con Edison customers set a new record for natural gas consumption earlier this week when cold weather gripped New York City and Westchester County.

The company provided 1.68 million dekatherms during a 24-hour period on Tuesday and Wednesday. That total includes gas sent out to business and residential customers, as well as gas used in the generation of electricity and steam.

The previous record of 1.6 million dekatherms was set December 17-18, 2013.

Along with cold weather, the addition of gas customers converting from oil also contributed to the new record. Con Edison converted 824 large New York City buildings from No. 4 and No. 6 fuel oil to cleaner, less expensive natural gas in 2014. The company also converted 618 large buildings in the city from No. 2 fuel oil to natural gas.

Con Edison advises its customers to use energy wisely this winter and offers the following tips:

• If your health permits, set your thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night and when no one is home. Each degree over 68 can increase by 3 percent the amount of energy you use for heating.
• Install a programmable thermostat and set it to lower the heat at night and when no one is home.
• Every fall, have your heating system cleaned and inspected by a qualified contractor.
• Inspect ducts to ensure adequate air flow and eliminate any loss of heated air.
• Keep drapes and furniture away from radiators and baseboard heaters so heat can flow freely.

Customers can also get energy-saving tips by following Con Edison on Twitter, liking us on Facebook or by visiting www.conEd.com.

The Con Edison Green Team has an energy efficiency program for everyone. To find programs that are right for you, visit www.conEd.com/greenteam or call the Green Team.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $12 billion in annual revenues and $41 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than 3.4 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York.