Easy Steps To A Lower Natural Gas Bill New Jersey Homeowners Can Follow To Save Money

By Beryl Dalton


The cost-efficient, reliable heat of natural gas is by far the most popular method to heat homes in cold weather. A gas furnace is less expensive to operate than either oil or electric heating, as are gas-powered hot water heaters, which provide superior efficiency and economy over electric ones. There are many actions which will result in a lower natural gas bill New Jersey residents should put them into practice to enjoy substantial savings each month.

The average Edison, NJ homeowner can expect that almost half of the monthly power costs will be accounted for by home temperature maintenance. In the summer, this means running an A/C, while in the winter, most residents rely on a trusty, gas furnace to keep their homes warm and cozy. Since hot air is not free, it makes sense to try to keep it from escaping. Heat travels up, so having sufficient insulation in the attic is a must.

Investing in a water heater which is run on natural gas instead of an electric one can help keep this part of one's power bill down by about 50 percent. Not only are they less expensive to operate, but they also recover hot water more quickly. Further efficiency and savings are provided if one installs an insulation kit to the heater, and by annually draining a bucket of water from the bottom of the unit to eliminate sediment and maximize efficiency.

Setting the home's thermostat to a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the day maintains an acceptable temperature and keeps heating costs reasonable. At night, or when the home is unoccupied, this temperature can be further reduced by 10 degrees. A programmable thermostat makes controlling the temperature very easy, and helps homeowners save hundreds of dollars each year.

Furnace filters should be changed every month, if they are dirty they prevent optimal airflow and make the furnace work harder. Older furnaces can also benefit from a yearly cleaning and tuning, to keep them running safely and efficiently. Once a furnace has reached an age of about 15 years, it should probably be replaced with a newer one in most cases.

The low angles of the sun during the winter months facilitates considerable solar heating potential through the south-facing windows of one's house. Trimming hedges and trees around these windows and keeping window coverings open during the day, can add to the home's warmth, making the furnace's job easier. Weather stripping, double-pane windows, and storm doors and windows are also very effective in the retention of heat.

Restricting use of bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans is another way to prevent heat loss in the home, as is keeping fireplace dampers shut when they are not being used, since a considerable amount of heat can escape up the chimney if this is not done. If there are any unoccupied rooms in the home, their vents and doors should be kept closed.

The thermostat of the water heater should be kept at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot water use when reduced, helps keep gas bills low. Taking showers instead of baths, using low-flow shower-heads, and washing clothes with cold water are all good ways to minimize its use.




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