What Contributes to Your Gas Bill? How to Lower It

Your gas bill reflects the amount of natural gas your household uses for heating, hot water, stoves, dryers, and other gas appliances. While gas prices vary, the main factors affecting your gas usage costs are:

Gas Leaks

Gas leaks allow gas to escape before it can be measured and billed, resulting in higher usage. Signs of a gas leak include:

• Rotten egg smell
• Hissing sound near appliances
• Unexplained spikes in gas bills

If you suspect a leak, open windows, evacuate, and call 911. Have your gas company inspect for leaks annually. Properly maintaining gas appliances also reduces leaks.

Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling accounts for over half of a home’s energy use. Setting your thermostat just a few degrees lower in winter and higher in summer can trim gas costs significantly.

Tips to reduce heating/cooling costs:

• Programmable or smart thermostats
• Maintain HVAC systems
• Upgrade insulation and seals
• Schedule professional HVAC tune-ups

Water Heating

Water heating can account for nearly 20% of household energy costs.

Save on water heating by:

• Setting water heater temperature to 120°F
• Adding insulation to older units
• Installing energy efficient models
• Taking shorter showers
• Fixing leaky faucets

Appliance Efficiency

Old appliances like furnaces, stoves and dryers use more energy over time. Upgrading to ENERGY STAR certified models can reduce gas usage substantially.

Additional ways to increase appliance efficiency:

• Regularly clean lint from dryer filter and vents
• Replace furnace filters regularly
• Turn off appliances when not in use
• Ensure proper ventilation around appliances

Cooking

The gas stove is a major energy user. Reduce cooking costs by:

• Using lids on pots to shorten cooking times
• Choosing right burner size for pan
• Turning off burners when not cooking
• Using microwave, slow cooker or toaster oven when possible

Laundry

Only run full loads and use cold water to lower gas dryer usage. Air drying also avoids gas costs.

Weatherization

Drafts from doors, windows, wiring holes and other openings make heating and cooling systems work harder.

DIY weatherization tips:

• Caulk and weatherstrip
• Seal openings with foam
• Add insulation to attics, walls and basements

Household Size

More occupants mean more showers, laundry, dishes, and other gas-using activities. The per person cost decreases with additional household members, but overall usage is higher.

Home Features

Larger, older homes tend to be less energy efficient. Upgrades like new windows, insulation and HVAC can help, but won’t eliminate higher costs from larger square footage.

Natural Gas Prices

While usage drives costs, the price per thermo of gas also matters. Natural gas prices fluctuate seasonally and with market conditions.

Ways to pay less for gas:

• Enroll in utility budget billing to even out payments
• Lock in lower rates with fixed price plans from alternative suppliers
• Compare plans annually before your contract ends

Conservation

Turning down the thermostat, shorter showers, full loads of laundry, avoiding standby power draw, and other conservation steps quickly lower usage and bills.

Smart Technology

Smart thermostats, water heaters, washers, dryers and other appliances help reduce waste through automation and usage insights.

Solar Water Heating

Solar water heating harnesses the sun’s energy to heat water, reducing reliance on gas. Tax credits and other incentives improve ROI.

Pool Heating

Heating pools with natural gas costs more. Switch to a heat pump or solar cover instead.

Home Energy Audits

An energy audit can identify the biggest areas of waste. Certified auditors may also note potential safety issues like gas leaks or ventilation problems.

Lowering your gas bill requires reducing usage through conservation and efficiency. Compare rates annually, maintain appliances and make upgrades to realize real savings over time. Reach out to your gas company for personalized tips to reduce your costs.