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

A natural gas furnace is the most cost-effective way to heat your home, especially if you live in a cold 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 getting more expensive 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) 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 Affect You 

Higher natural gas prices will affect 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 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 

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

This service includes: 

• Testing 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 guarantee peak performance. 
• Examining the gas valve to ensure fuel supply pressure is right. 
• Inspecting electrical parts for problems. 

• Checking your thermostat to ensure it’s working correctly. 

Having your HVAC system serviced 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 major part, like the heat exchanger, breaks on your home’s heating system during a certain period. 

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

With our best-value Maintenance+™, you’ll receive 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 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 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 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 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 adding 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 purchase one. 

3. Select 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 the greatest energy savings. If this feels too cold, these ways to save can help keep your home feeling warmer and your heating bill under control: 

• 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 day to let in natural heat from the sun. Keep your windows covered at night to keep out cold air. 
• Cover drafty windows with plastic sheeting to prevent 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 great at preventing cold air drafts and keeping warm air where it belongs. 
• 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 installing 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 often free and provides valuable advice on how to save money and lower your heating bill. It may help you determine how much insulation you need to add, locate air leaks and more. 

While You’re Sleeping 

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

Try testing your thermostat for about a week to choose the right temperature. Start with the temperature set at 67 degrees and decreasing it by a degree each night. You may feel cold at first, but you’ll probably be surprised 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 operating and your pipes from icing. But don’t be tempted to jack 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 cause wear and tear on your furnace. 

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

4. Get a New Furnace 

Replacing your old, inefficient heating system is one of the smartest 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%. Getting 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 reductions 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 cheaper natural gas bill. 

When to Start Considering Furnace Installation 

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

1. Age. Most furnaces last 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 breaks down for good. 

2. Repair frequency and cost. If your furnace repair bills are more than half the cost of a new system, we recommend getting 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 notice this through your home being less comfortable and your heating bill being higher. 

4. Odd noises. It’s normal for your furnace to make some sound as it turns on and off. But some sounds, particularly rattling, banging or screeching, are an obvious sign that something’s awry. Based on the seriousness 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 mean your furnace is consuming more gas and may even be producing carbon monoxide, which can be deadly in big doses. Furnaces leaking this life-threatening gas should be taken out right away. 

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

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

• 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 on the rise, there are lots of ways to lower 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 save money this winter! 

---

*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.