How to Save on Home Heating Costs as Natural Gas Goes Up

A natural gas furnace is the most efficient way to heat your home, especially if you live in a cool climate. However, Reuters says the cost of natural gas is anticipated to rise significantly during the winter heating season. Learn 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) produces a winter fuel outlook. Energy costs have previously gotten more expensive around the world, according to Reuters. This is because the need for energy is now greater than the available supply. 

How Higher Natural Gas Prices Will Impact You 

Higher natural gas prices will impact you as you switch 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, 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 cheapest and most efficient way to heat your home. And there are several 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. Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up 

Schedule furnace maintenance from an HVAC professional before the heating season starts. You’ll get more than fixing 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 prevent deadly carbon monoxide leaks. 
• Tracking warm air flow and blower operation to guarantee peak performance. 
• Examining the gas valve to ensure fuel supply pressure is right. 
• Inspecting electrical parts for problems. 

• Checking your thermostat to make sure it’s working correctly. 

Having your HVAC system maintained each year helps manage energy use, reduces 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 component, such as 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 forget about booking 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 products 
• 100% guarantee on repairs for one year* 
• Lifetime thermostat warranty 

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

2. Get 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 regulate your HVAC system from your smartphone or tablet from bed in the morning, or just about anywhere in the world. You’ll get real-time updates on how much energy you’re consuming. 

The best smart thermostats for central heating have: 

• Wi-Fi capabilities 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 automatically adjust the thermostat to save you more money. 
• Smart programming that creates an energy-efficient heating routine based on your temperature preferences. 

Your energy company probably has valuable rebates for installing a smart thermostat, since they’re ENERGY STAR® qualified. These rebates may cover a part or even the full cost of the thermostat, so contact 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 likely lowers your heating bill, but you’ll need to set it for a few days so it can pick up on 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 chilly, these ways to save can help keep your home feeling more comfortable and your heating bill in check: 

• Use window treatments that block heat loss, such 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 in the future, like double pane with insulating gas or triple pane. 
• Set ceiling fans to counterclockwise so they can disperse warm air that gathers 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 stopping 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 impact 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 loses a lot of hot air through the attic. 
• Book an energy audit through your natural gas company. This service is often 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 Sleeping 

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

Try experimenting with your thermostat for about a week to choose the ideal temperature. Start with the temperature set at 67 degrees and lowering it by a degree every night. You may feel chilly initially, but you’ll probably be surprised how comfy you can be at a cooler 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 operating and your pipes from icing. But don’t be tempted to jack up your furnace when you get back, instead of setting it back to 68. This won’t heat your home up quicker. 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 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 every year. 

4. Upgrade Your Furnace 

Updating your outdated, 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 old models only attain around 80%. Buying a new furnace that’s 15% more efficient can lead to major savings on your heating bills over your furnace’s life. While your precise utility bill reductions will vary based on area 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 indications that it’s time to begin thinking about furnace installation: 

1. Age. Many furnaces last between 15-20 years with proper maintenance. If yours is near this age, you should start 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 more than half the cost of a new system, we suggest getting a new one. This also applies if repairs are becoming more consistent. 

3. Decreased comfort and pricey heating bills. As your furnace gets older, it needs more energy. You’ll notice this through your home being less comfortable and your heating bill being higher. 

4. Unusual noises. It’s normal for your furnace to make some noise as it turns on and off. But some noises, particularly rattling, banging or screeching, are a clear sign that something’s wrong. Based on the seriousness 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 consuming more fuel and may even be producing carbon monoxide, which can be dangerous in large doses. Furnaces seeping this deadly gas should be taken out immediately. 

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

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

• A new, high-efficiency furnace, as well as 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 

• 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 countless ways to lower your heating bill with our Expert assistance. To begin, contact 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.