How to Save on Home Heating Costs as Natural Gas Increases

A natural gas furnace is the most efficient way to heat your home, especially if you live in a cold climate. However, Reuters says the price of natural gas is expected to rise significantly during the winter heating season. Find out why the price of natural gas is getting more expensive and how to save on gas heating bills this year. 

Why Is Natural Gas Going Up? 

Every year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) produces a winter fuel outlook. Energy costs have previously gone up around the world, according to Reuters. This is due to the fact the demand for energy is now greater than the available supply. 

How Higher Natural Gas Prices Will Impact You 

Higher natural gas prices will affect you as you turn on your heating system and receive utility bills. Here’s about how much it will affect the average household during the six-month winter heating season, in contrast to 2020. 

• Average heating bill for 2020 season: $573, or about $95.50 monthly. 
• Average heating bill for 2021 season: $746, or about $124.33 monthly. That’s about a 30% increase from last year. 

4 Tips for Saving on Heating Costs 

In comparison to other fuel sources, a natural gas heating system is still the most affordable and most efficient way to heat your home. And there are a few things you can do to keep your heating costs affordable this winter. Here’s how you can save on your gas heating bill. 

1. Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up 

Schedule furnace maintenance from an HVAC professional before the heating season starts. You’ll get more than repairing your heating system later on in the year. 

This service consists of: 

• Evaluating and cleaning gas burners for correct operation. 
• Examining the heat exchanger for cracks to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaks. 
• Tracking warm air flow and blower operation to ensure peak performance. 
• Inspecting the gas valve to make sure fuel supply pressure is right. 
• Inspecting electrical parts for damage. 

• Taking a look at your thermostat to ensure it’s working correctly. 

Having your HVAC system maintained each year helps control energy use, reduces the likelihood of breakdowns and may even make your heating system last longer. Plus, many manufacturers require it to keep your valuable warranty applicable. This warranty shields you if a significant part, like the heat exchanger, breaks on your home’s heating system during a specific period. 

We know you’re busy and that it’s easy to overlook scheduling your furnace tune-ups. That’s why we offer membership programs created to make your life easier while helping you save money. 

With our best-value Maintenance+™, you’ll enjoy regular preventive maintenance plus: 

• Energy savings up to 30%** 

• Guaranteed 24/7/365 priority service 
• 15% discount on repairs and air purification solutions 
• 100% guarantee on repairs for one year* 
• Lifetime thermostat warranty 

• Home Health Report Card and 29-point visual check on each visit 

2. Install a Smart Thermostat 

HVAC professionals advise replacing your programmable thermostat with one that’s “smart” to save money on your energy bill. This means it connects to Wi-Fi, so you can regulate your HVAC system from your smartphone or tablet from bed when you wake up, or just about anywhere in the world. You’ll get real-time updates on how much energy you’re using. 

The best smart thermostats for central heating have: 

• Wi-Fi capabilities with an app to manage it from a smartphone or computer. 
• A color screen that shows the current temperature and humidity levels at home, as well as outside weather forecasts so you can adjust accordingly. 
• Eco mode settings that instantly adjust the thermostat to save you more money. 
• Smart programming that makes an energy-efficient heating schedule based on your temperature preferences. 

Your energy company probably offers valuable rebates for installing a smart thermostat, since they’re ENERGY STAR® qualified. These rebates may cover a portion or even the complete cost of the thermostat, so check with your natural gas supplier before you buy one. 

3. Select Energy-Efficient Thermostat Settings 

Your smart thermostat will handle making an efficient schedule that likely lowers your heating bill, but you’ll need to set it for a few days so it can learn your temperature preferences. We recommend using these winter thermostat settings from the U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR. 

When You’re at Home 

Your thermostat should be set to 68 degrees for maximum energy savings. If this feels too chilly, these ways to save can help keep your home feeling more comfortable and your heating bill in check: 

• Choose window treatments that block heat loss, like as honeycomb shades, plantation shutters or window blankets, which are thick quilts. 
• Open south-facing window treatments during the daytime to let in natural heat from the sun. Keep your windows covered at night to seal out cold air. 
• Cover drafty windows with plastic sheeting to stop air leaks. Consider getting energy-saving windows later on, like double pane with insulating gas or triple pane. 
• Set ceiling fans to counterclockwise so they can disperse warm air that collects near the ceiling. 

• Have an HVAC professional seal heating ducts. This is often done through putting metallic tape on gaps and helps you retain more hot air from your heating system. 
• Add weather stripping on windows and doors. Weather stripping is very good at stopping cold air drafts and keeping warm air where it belongs. 
• Make sure heating vents are open. Shutting off vents in rooms you don’t use is a bad idea since it can affect air balance and make your furnace work harder. Also, try not to block vents as this impacts how heating systems distribute warm air. 
• Consider adding more ceiling insulation, since your home loses a lot of hot air through the attic. 
• Schedule an energy audit through your natural gas company. This service is often free and provides valuable advice on how to save money and lower your heating bill. It may help you identify how much insulation you need to add, find air leaks and more. 

While You’re Sleeping 

The National Sleep Foundation says most people sleep best in a cold room. During the winter, that can vary from 60-67 degrees, depending on your personal preferences. 

Try experimenting with your thermostat for about a week to find the right temperature. Begin with the temperature set at 67 degrees and decreasing it by a degree every evening. You may feel chilly at first, but you’ll probably be surprised how comfortable you can be at a cooler temperature. And how much it can affect your heating bill! 

While You’re Gone 

If you don’t have any pets, you can turn down your thermostat as cool as 50 degrees. This keeps your heating system operating and your pipes from freezing. But don’t be tempted to crank up your furnace when you return, instead of setting it back to 68. This won’t heat your home up faster. It’ll just increase your heating bill and result in wear and tear on your furnace. 

If you have pets, you can follow the Department of Energy’s recommendation to turn your thermostat back 7-10 degrees while you’re away. Doing this while you’re at work can save you up to 10% on heating bills each year. 

4. Upgrade Your Furnace 

Replacing your old, inefficient heating system is one of the best ways to save on heating bills. A furnace’s efficiency is measured in AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. In other words, this rating measures how efficiently your furnace uses fuel for heat. 

Modern furnaces have an average AFUE of 95%, while older models only attain around 80%. Buying a new furnace that’s 15% more efficient can result in big savings on your heating bills over your furnace’s life. While your exact utility bill savings will vary based on local weather and your temperature preferences, these savings could help your primary heating source pay for itself over time through a lower natural gas bill. 

When to Start Thinking about Furnace Installation 

Here are a few other indications that it’s time to start considering furnace installation: 

1. Age. Many furnaces run between 15-20 years with adequate maintenance. If yours is close to this age, you should begin preparation for replacement to prevent being without heat when your furnace goes out for good. 

2. Repair frequency and price. If your furnace repair bills are more than half the price of a new system, we recommend buying a new one. This also is applicable if repairs are becoming more frequent. 

3. Reduced comfort and pricey heating bills. As your furnace gets older, it consumes more energy. You’ll notice this through your home being less cozy and your heating bill being more expensive. 

4. Unusual noises. It’s normal for your furnace to make some sound as it turns on and off. But some sounds, especially rattling, banging or screeching, are a clear sign that something’s awry. Based on the severity of the problem, it may just be better to buy a new furnace. 

5. Yellow burner flames. Your furnace’s burner flames should always be blue. Yellow flames suggest your furnace is consuming more fuel and may even be making carbon monoxide, which can be dangerous in big doses. Furnaces leaking this dangerous gas should be replaced right away. 

We realize that furnace replacement is a major investment. It can also be a shock that you’re not fully prepared for. That’s why we have the Service Experts Advantage Program™. This hassle-free subscription program is transforming home comfort by including everything, with no big up-front cost or down payment necessary. 

For only one low monthly fee, you’ll receive: 

• A new, high-efficiency furnace, plus valuable manufacturer’s rebates 
• Expert installation at no extra cost 
• Guaranteed 24/7/365 priority service 
• Repairs, labor, parts and air filters at no added charge* 
• 15% discount on air purification products 
• Lifetime thermostat warranty 
• Home Health™ Report Card and 29-point visual check on every visit 

• Annual preventive maintenance and energy savings up to 30%** 

Save Money on Heating Costs with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

Although natural gas prices are on the rise, there are lots of ways to lower your heating bill with our Expert assistance. To get started, call us at 866-397-3787 for an appointment and we’ll see what you can do to save money this winter! 

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*For HVAC Service Memberships, certain warranty exclusions and limitations apply. See your signed agreement for full terms and conditions. For the Advantage Program™, please see your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. Lease with approved credit; visit ServiceExperts.com for details. **Potential savings may vary depending on age and condition of equipment, personal lifestyle, system settings, equipment maintenance, and installation of equipment and duct system.