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 cool climate. However, Reuters reports the cost of natural gas is expected to rise significantly 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 Going Up? 

Each year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) releases a winter fuel outlook. Energy costs have previously gotten more expensive around the world, according to Reuters. This is due to the fact the need for energy is now greater 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 impact the average household during the six-month winter heating season, as compared 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 a few things you can do to keep your heating costs affordable this winter. Here’s how you can spend less on your gas heating bill. 

1. Request a Furnace Tune-Up 

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

This service consists of: 

• Evaluating and cleaning gas burners for proper operation. 
• Examining 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 make sure fuel supply pressure is correct. 
• Inspecting electrical parts for problems. 

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

Having your HVAC system serviced 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 applicable. This warranty protects you if a significant part, like the heat exchanger, fails on your home’s heating system during a certain 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 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 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 recommend updating 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 receive 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 control 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 full cost of the thermostat, so check with your natural gas supplier before you purchase one. 

3. Choose Energy-Efficient Thermostat Settings 

Your smart thermostat will take care of making an efficient schedule that potentially lowers your heating bill, but you’ll need to program it for a few days so it can learn your temperature preferences. We suggest following 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 in check: 

• Use 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 reverse 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 great at blocking cold air drafts and keeping warm air where it belongs. 
• Make sure heating vents are unrestricted. 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 extra ceiling insulation, since your home leaks a lot of hot air through the attic. 
• Schedule an energy audit through your natural gas company. This service is usually free and offers valuable advice on how to save money and lower your heating bill. It may help you identify how much insulation you need to add, locate air leaks and more. 

While You’re Asleep 

The National Sleep Foundation says most people do best in a cool 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 ideal temperature. Start with the temperature set at 67 degrees and decreasing it by a degree every night. You may feel chilly at first, but you’ll probably be amazed how comfortable you can be at a cooler temperature. And how much it can affect your heating bill! 

While You’re Away 

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 get back, 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 use the Department of Energy’s suggestion 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 every 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. Simply put, this rating measures how efficiently your furnace uses fuel for heat. 

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

When to Begin Considering Furnace Installation 

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

1. Age. Most furnaces last between 15-20 years with adequate maintenance. If yours is near this age, you should begin planning for replacement to avoid being without heat when your furnace breaks down for good. 

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

3. Decreased comfort and pricey heating bills. As your furnace ages, it needs more energy. You’ll see this through your home being less cozy and your heating bill being higher. 

4. Unusual noises. It’s normal 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 problem, it may just be better to get a new furnace. 

5. Yellow burner flames. Your furnace’s burner flames should always be blue. Yellow flames mean your furnace is using more gas and may even be creating carbon monoxide, which can be dangerous in large doses. Furnaces seeping this hazardous 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 fully ready for. That’s why we offer the Service Experts Advantage Program™. This hassle-free subscription program is transforming home comfort by covering everything, with no big up-front cost or down payment necessary. 

For just one reasonable monthly fee, you’ll get: 

• 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 extra charge* 
• 15% discount on air purification products 
• Lifetime thermostat warranty 
• Home Health™ Report Card and 29-point visual check on each visit 

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

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

Although natural gas prices are going up, there are lots of ways to reduce your heating bill with our Expert assistance. To get started, contact us at 866-397-3787 for an appointment and we’ll see what you can do to spend less 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.