How to Save Money on Your Natural Gas Bill

Understanding and reducing natural gas consumption is a practical approach for homeowners and renters seeking to manage household expenses. Natural gas powers essential functions within many homes, including heating, water heating, and cooking. By implementing effective strategies, individuals can significantly lower their monthly utility bills.

Managing Home Heating

Effectively managing your home’s heating system presents a significant opportunity for natural gas savings, as space heating often accounts for the largest portion of a household’s energy consumption. Adjusting your thermostat settings strategically can yield considerable benefits. Setting your thermostat lower when you are away or asleep, such as to 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and lower at night or when away, can reduce energy demand. Programmable or smart thermostats further enhance this capability by allowing automated temperature adjustments based on your schedule, preventing energy waste from manual oversight.

Regular maintenance is important for efficiency and longevity. Scheduling an annual professional tune-up ensures the system operates at its peak, identifying any issues that could lead to increased gas consumption. Replacing furnace filters every one to three months, or more frequently if you have pets or allergies, improves airflow and system performance, preventing the furnace from working harder than necessary. Maintaining clean filters helps improve indoor air quality.

Implementing a zoning system can provide more precise control over your heating, directing warmth only to occupied areas. This approach uses multiple thermostats to regulate different sections of the home independently, avoiding the expense of heating unused rooms. While the initial investment in a zoning system may be higher, the long-term savings from reduced natural gas consumption can offset the cost.

Optimizing Hot Water Usage

Reducing natural gas consumption related to hot water use is another effective way to lower energy bills. A simple yet impactful adjustment is lowering your water heater’s thermostat setting. Reducing this to 120 degrees Fahrenheit can provide sufficient hot water for most households while significantly decreasing energy consumption and reducing the risk of scalding. This small change can lead to noticeable savings over time.

Insulating your water heater tank, especially if it is an older model or located in an unheated space, can reduce standby heat loss by 25% to 45%. Tank insulation blankets are readily available and simple to install, helping the water heater maintain its temperature more efficiently. Additionally, insulating the first six feet of hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater further minimizes heat loss as water travels through your plumbing system.

Adopting water-saving habits complements these physical improvements. Taking shorter showers, opting for baths less frequently, and using low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators all contribute to reduced hot water demand. These behavioral changes, combined with temperature adjustments and insulation, collectively reduce the amount of natural gas needed to heat water for daily use.

Efficient Appliance Use

Optimizing the use of natural gas-powered appliances beyond heating and hot water can also contribute to overall savings. For gas stoves and ovens, using the correct burner size for your cookware ensures heat is transferred efficiently to the pot or pan, rather than escaping around the edges. Preheating your oven only when necessary for baking conserves gas, as many foods do not require a preheated oven. Using lids on pots and pans when cooking helps to retain heat and cook food faster, further minimizing gas consumption.

When using a natural gas dryer, maintaining a clean lint trap before each load is important for both efficiency and safety. A clogged lint trap restricts airflow, causing the dryer to work harder and use more gas to dry clothes. Drying full loads, but avoiding overfilling the dryer, allows for proper air circulation and more effective drying. Avoiding over-drying clothes saves energy, as continued tumbling after clothes are dry wastes gas and can damage fabrics.

Enhancing Home Insulation and Sealing

Improving your home’s insulation and sealing is important for long-term natural gas savings by preventing heat loss during colder months. Adequate insulation in the attic, walls, and crawl spaces acts as a barrier against temperature fluctuations, keeping heat inside your home more effectively. Adding attic insulation is often one of the most cost-effective improvements, with recommended R-values ranging from R-38 to R-60 depending on your climate zone.

Identifying and sealing air leaks around your home is another important measure to prevent warm air from escaping. Common culprits for air leakage include:
Gaps around windows
Doors
Electrical outlets
Plumbing penetrations

Applying weatherstripping to doors and windows creates a tight seal, while caulk can fill smaller cracks and gaps in stationary joints. These materials are relatively inexpensive and can be applied with basic tools, providing immediate benefits by reducing drafts and heat loss.

Consider installing storm windows or using heavy, insulated curtains to add an extra layer of protection against heat transfer. Storm windows create an air pocket that improves the window’s insulating properties, while heavy curtains can be closed at night to trap heat inside. These measures collectively contribute to a more energy-efficient home, reducing the demand on your natural gas heating system and leading to consistent savings on your utility bills.