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 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 going up and how to save on gas heating bills this year. 

Why Is Natural Gas Getting More Expensive? 

Each year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) produces a winter fuel outlook. Energy costs have already gotten more expensive around the world, according to Reuters. This is due to the fact the need for energy is now higher than the available supply. 

How More Expensive Natural Gas Prices Will Impact You 

Higher natural gas prices will impact you as you switch on your heating system and get 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 several steps you can take to you can do to keep your heating costs down 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 greater] efficiency and it’s {cheaper than repairing your heating system later on in the year. 

This service includes: 

• Evaluating and cleaning gas burners for correct operation. 
• Checking 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 ensure fuel supply pressure is correct. 
• Checking 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, many manufacturers require it to keep your valuable warranty valid. 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 booking 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 
• No trip or overtime charges—ever 
• 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 uses Wi-Fi, so you can regulate your HVAC system from your smartphone or tablet from bed in the morning, or just about anyplace in the world. You’ll receive real-time updates on how much energy you’re consuming. 

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 adapt accordingly. 
• Eco mode settings that automatically set 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 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 contact your natural gas supplier before you purchase one. 

3. Choose Energy-Efficient Thermostat Settings 

Your smart thermostat will handle creating an efficient schedule that likely lowers your heating bill, but you’ll need to program 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 the greatest energy savings. If this feels too chilly, these ways to save can help keep your home feeling warmer and your heating bill in check: 

• Choose 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 keep out cold air. 
• Cover drafty windows with plastic sheeting to stop air leaks. Consider upgrading to energy-saving windows in the future, such as 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 keep more hot air from your heating system. 
• Add weather stripping on windows and doors. Weather stripping is great at stopping cold air drafts and keeping warm air where it belongs. 
• Make sure heating vents are unrestricted. 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 affects how heating systems distribute warm air. 
• Consider installing more 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 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, pinpoint air leaks and more. 

While You’re Sleeping 

The National Sleep Foundation says most people do best in a cool 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 find the right temperature. Begin with the temperature set at 67 degrees and decreasing it by a degree each night. You may feel cold at first, but you’ll likely be amazed how comfortable you can be at a lower 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 low as 50 degrees. This keeps your heating system running and your pipes from icing. But don’t be tempted to jack up your furnace when you return, instead of switching it back to 68. This won’t heat your home up faster. It’ll just drive up 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 gone. Doing this while you’re at work can save you up to 10% on heating bills every year. 

4. Get a New Furnace 

Updating 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. 

Newer furnaces have an average AFUE of 95%, while old 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 reductions will vary based on area 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 indications that it’s time to begin thinking about furnace installation: 

1. Age. Many furnaces run between 15-20 years with proper 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 cost. If your furnace repair bills are more than half the price of a new system, we recommend buying a new one. This also applies if repairs are becoming more consistent. 

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

4. Unusual noises. It’s typical for your furnace to make some sound as it turns on and off. But some sounds, particularly rattling, banging or screeching, are a clear sign that something’s awry. 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 gas and may even be producing carbon monoxide, which can be dangerous in big doses. Furnaces seeping this life-threatening gas should be taken out right away. 

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

For just one low 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 

• No trip or overtime charges—ever 
• Repairs, labour, 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 Rob's Albertan Service Experts 

Although natural gas prices are on the rise, there are many ways to lower your heating bill with our Expert assistance. To get started, call us at 780-800-9047 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.