LOS ANGELES, Dec. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent record cold weather across the United States has placed a strain on natural gas supplies. SoCalGas is asking customers to take simple precautionary steps to conserve natural gas to help ensure supplies are sufficient to meet demand created by this severe winter.

"We know a typical home's natural gas use for heating increases, sometimes up to three times more during colder months. SoCalGas is asking our customers to conserve energy to help ensure we have enough natural gas supply to get us through this cold weather," said Rodger Schwecke, vice president of customer solutions for SoCalGas. SoCalGas advises the following energy conservation tips:

• Use extra blankets and sweaters to stay warm and lower your furnace thermostat by three to five degrees (health permitting). This can save up to 30 percent on heating costs.
• Limit use of non-essential gas appliances, fireplaces and spas.
• Reduce your water heating usage: use less hot water, turn down the water heater thermostat or insulate your water heater.
• For additional conservation tips, visit SoCalGas.com

SoCalGas also encourages customers to follow these important safety tips when heating their homes to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning:

• Never use your oven, range or outdoor grill to heat your home because these appliances are not designed for this purpose and can emit dangerous carbon monoxide
• Install a CO detector or change the batteries in your CO detectors.

Symptoms of CO poisoning can include unexplained nausea, headaches, drowsiness, mental confusion and flu-like symptoms. If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from CO poisoning, call 911 immediately.

About Southern California Gas Co.
Southern California Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 140 years. It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 20.9 million consumers connected through nearly 5.8 million meters in more than 500 communities. The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. Southern California Gas Co. is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE).

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.