How to Save on Home Heating Costs as Natural Gas Increases

A natural gas furnace is the most cost-effective way to heat your home, particularly if you live in a cool climate. However, Reuters reports the price of natural gas is anticipated to rise dramatically during the winter heating season. Find out why the price of natural gas is going up and how to save on gas heating bills this year. 

Why Is Natural Gas Getting More Expensive? 

Every year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) produces a winter fuel outlook. Energy costs have previously gotten more expensive globally, according to Reuters. This is because the demand for energy is now higher than the available supply. 

How More Expensive 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 Secrets for Saving on Heating Costs 

Compared 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 several steps you can take to you can do to keep your heating costs down this winter. Here’s how you can save on your gas heating bill. 

1. Request a Furnace Tune-Up 

Request furnace maintenance from an HVAC professional before the heating season starts. You’ll get greater] efficiency and it’s {cheaper than fixing your heating system later on in the year. 

This service consists of: 

• Evaluating and cleaning gas burners for correct operation. 
• Checking the heat exchanger for cracks to avoid deadly carbon monoxide leaks. 
• Tracking warm air flow and blower operation to ensure peak performance. 
• Inspecting the gas valve to ensure fuel supply pressure is correct. 
• Inspecting electrical parts for problems. 

• Taking a look at your thermostat to make sure it’s working right. 

Having your HVAC system maintained each year helps manage energy use, decreases the chance of breakdowns and may even make your heating system last longer. Plus, most manufacturers require it to keep your valuable warranty valid. This warranty shields you if a significant part, such as 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 booking your furnace tune-ups. That’s why we provide membership programs designed to make your life better 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 products 
• 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 recommend updating your programmable thermostat with one that’s “smart” to save money on your energy bill. This means it uses Wi-Fi, so you can control your HVAC system from your smartphone or tablet from bed in the morning, or just about anyplace 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 capability 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 routine based on your temperature preferences. 

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

3. Select Energy-Efficient Thermostat Settings 

Your smart thermostat will handle making an efficient schedule that likely reduces 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 cold, these ways to save can help keep your home feeling warmer and your heating bill under control: 

• 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 upgrading to energy-saving windows in the future, 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 adding 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 blocking cold air drafts and keeping warm air where it should be. 
• Make sure heating vents are open. Closing 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 installing extra ceiling insulation, since your home loses a lot of hot air through the attic. 
• Book an energy audit through your natural gas company. This service is usually 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 Asleep 

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

Try testing your thermostat for about a week to find the right temperature. Start with the temperature set at 67 degrees and decreasing it by a degree every evening. You may feel cold at first, but you’ll probably be amazed how comfy you can be at a lower temperature. And how much it can impact your heating bill! 

While You’re Gone 

If you don’t have any pets, you can set your thermostat as low as 50 degrees. This keeps your heating system running and your pipes from icing. 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 quicker. It’ll just drive up your heating bill and result in wear and tear on your furnace. 

If you have pets, you can use the Department of Energy’s advice to set your thermostat back 7-10 degrees while you’re gone. Doing this while you’re at the office can save you up to 10% on heating bills each year. 

4. Upgrade Your Furnace 

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

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

When to Start Considering Furnace Installation 

Here are a few other signs that it’s time to start thinking about furnace installation: 

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

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

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

4. Weird noises. It’s typical for your furnace to make some sound as it turns on and off. But some sounds, specifically rattling, banging or screeching, are a clear sign that something’s wrong. Based on the severity of the issue, 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 mean your furnace is using more fuel and may even be producing carbon monoxide, which can be fatal in large doses. Furnaces leaking this life-threatening gas should be replaced right away. 

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

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

• A new, high-efficiency furnace, plus valuable manufacturer’s rebates 
• Expert installation at no extra charge 
• 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 each visit 

• Regular 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 reduce your heating bill with our Expert assistance. To begin, call us at 866-397-3787 for an appointment and we’ll take a look at 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.