Practical Tips For A Lower Natural Gas Bill New Jersey Residents Will Find Helpful

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.

Heating one's home, or in the summer, cooling it, accounts for nearly half of the monthly power expenses of an average person living in Edison, NJ. Operating a furnace produces warm air to make the home comfortable to live in, so it is essential to try to contain this heated air as much as possible. Good insulation in the attic can help drastically reduce heat loss, by as much as half, since heat travels upwards.

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.

Adjusting the thermostat to a setting of 68 degrees Fahrenheit keeps the home comfortable, and keeps costs down. During the night, or at times when no one is in the house, it can be lowered by another 10 degrees, since people are normally warm under blankets when they are sleeping. Investing in a programmable thermostat can result in yearly savings of hundreds of dollars, and allows the user to specify a desired temperature based on the time of day.

When furnace filters get dirty, they can hinder airflow and reduce the efficiency of the furnace, this is why it's necessary to check them periodically to see if they need replacing, which they often do once a month. Older furnaces should be cleaned and tuned by a service each year before use, but once they are about 15 years old or more, replacement is normally a better idea.

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.

Water heaters also have a thermostat, keeping it set to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. Using less hot water means more money saved on the water heating portion of the gas bill. Low-flow shower-heads and opting to take shorter showers instead of baths are two ways in which one can reduce their hot water and its associated natural gas consumption.




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