Sep. 11--STOCKTON -- Natural gas, used in more than 80 percent of California homes, will cost a lot more this winter than a year ago. But there are ways consumers can curb those increases.

Northern California, where Pacific Gas and Electric Co. serves 3.9 million natural-gas customers over a 70,000-square-mile region, could see increases of around 40 percent during the colder months ahead, but that's not nearly as bad as most of the country.

The Energy Information Administration just revised its figures following Hurricane Katrina and expects prices to increase an average of 52 percent nationwide. In some pockets of the nation, cost increases could hit 71 percent.

In California during 2004, residential customers consumed 23 percent of all natural gas while industrial and commercial users accounted for 30 percent. The biggest single use by far in 2004 for natural gas -- 48 percent -- was to generate electricity, according to the California Energy Commission.

It only seems logical, then, that reducing electricity usage will help consumers save money. Conserving natural gas is a little more elusive, but there are plenty of easy things homeowners and renters can do.

"The No. 1 thing consumers can do to save natural gas would be to get a programmable thermostat," said Mark Hendrickson, the San Joaquin Valley spokesman for the San Francisco-based utility.

"They cost roughly $20, and it's rather easy to install. Most people can do it," he said.

Something most people can do right away, he said, is to change the filter in their furnaces. And he recommended doing it monthly.

"My No. 3 tip will save considerable usage. Turn your water heater down. Many customers have it higher than it should be," Hendrickson said.

According to PG&E's Web site, the water-heater temperature should be set at 120 degrees unless you have a dishwasher. With a dishwasher, set it at 140 degrees unless your dishwasher has its own heating element.