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Save Money On Gas Bill – This winter’s snow and cold temperatures come with skyrocketing energy prices. High fuel costs in the U.S. can significantly increase home energy costs, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This situation is unpredictable and subject to change, as mild winter weather, pandemic shutdowns in major countries and increased supply may reduce fuel costs. If you’re concerned about your home heating costs, read on for tips on how to lower your bills.
About half of the homes in the US are heated with natural gas. Natural gas bills are expected to average 30% higher this winter than last year. In 2019, the average American natural gas bill was $712 per year. A 30% increase on that bill would bring the average bill closer to $925.
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Meanwhile, propane bills are expected to increase by an average of 54%, and electric-heated homes are expected to see a 6% increase.
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If the winter is colder than average, those numbers will increase as demand for fuel increases. The Biden administration released oil from the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve in November, which will increase fuel supplies and may help ease prices somewhat. It’s an approach that will also increase the carbon pollution in the atmosphere that causes climate change.
Energy efficiency can help keep homes warm while reducing energy use, leading to lower bills and minimizing pollution.
To improve your home’s energy efficiency, start looking for leaks. “Just feel it,” says Ryan Meres, director of programs at the Residential Energy Services Network, a nonprofit that helps set energy efficiency standards. “Especially when it’s very cold outside, you can feel where the air is coming from.”
The points where homes typically lose heat are through windows, doors, and anything else that opens to the outside, such as plumbing pipes and vents. These leaks can be a big problem in older homes, especially those built before 2009.
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Homeowners can seal these exterior openings and increase insulation in their homes. It may be more difficult for renters to make improvements, but widely available kits will allow you to temporarily cover windows by placing plastic sheeting around them. You can also double check that windows are properly closed and locked, and check for weather stripping around doors. Wrapping a towel and placing it along the inside base of the doors to the outside can also stop leaks.
Also, turn down the thermostat when you’re sleeping or away from home, says Carmen Carruthers of the Minnesota Department of Public Utilities. Keep thermostats at 68 F when you’re at home, then turn them down to 10 degrees when you’re sleeping or away. But in cold areas, avoid setting thermostats below 55°F, because colder temperatures can cause pipes to freeze, Carruthers says.
He added that 68°F feels too cold for some people, especially if they live in a land home. “We encourage them to turn it down a notch or two and kind of find that sweet spot where they’re comfortable but not using more energy than necessary.”
Avoid space heaters as they are a very inefficient way to heat a home. “They really cheat,” Meres said.
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If you’re worried about paying for heating this winter, your first stop is the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
In some states, citizen utility boards can help people navigate the process and make recommendations if a family doesn’t qualify for federal aid. Find out if there is one in your state by searching online for “Citizens Utility Board” and the name of your state. You can also contact your state’s LIHEAP office for other resource recommendations.
Carruthers advised people to contact their utility providers to see what services they offer to reduce costs. Ratepayers help pay for those programs, he said. “As a ratepayer, these plans are for you.”
Another way to keep costs down if you heat your home with electricity is to use renewable sources, such as solar energy. Federal and state tax credits are available for residential solar systems.
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For those who are renters or otherwise unable to add solar panels to their residence, joining community solar projects can help. These programs allow you to pay for nearby solar projects. In many cases, such as when your utility electricity rates are high, this strategy can help keep costs down.
Community solar projects can be found in more than 39 states and Washington DC. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has a list of community solar projects that can help people find a project in their area. In addition, private companies can help customers in certain states connect with renewable energy providers and save money on bills.
Switching home heat sources to renewable energy also helps fight climate change by reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned.
Looking ahead to future winters, some larger projects like replacing old water heaters can also save money on heating bills. Meres recommends hiring a local company to evaluate your home for energy efficiency improvements before making any major purchases or decisions.
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Local utilities may also offer rebates for new energy-efficient appliances. “Where I’m in New York, I replaced my old oil-fired water heater with a heat pump water heater about two years ago and got $750 off my electricity, which covered about half the cost of the new unit,” Meres said. said:
Tenant legal aid organizations for renters, such as HOME Line in Minnesota, are working to better understand and use legal codes that can be used to require landlords to make energy efficiency improvements. HOME Line is also part of a larger coalition calling for legislation and public policy to give low-income renters more control over their heating bills. When they spend less money on heating bills, people can invest those funds in other areas of their lives.
“Conditioning is seen as wealth creation,” says Michael Dahl, HOME Line’s director of public policy. “It ensures that tenants control more of their resources.”
In the meantime, it’s important that people get help soon when struggling with heating bills, as exposure to cold temperatures can be dangerous and even fatal.
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“There’s a lot of help out there now, and I think it’s really important that people take advantage of it,” Carruthers said.
Samantha Harrington, director of audience experience at Yale Climate Connections, is a journalist and graphic designer with backgrounds in digital media and entrepreneurship. Sam is particularly interested in… More Samantha Harrington Bear’s Face on Mars Blake Lively’s New Role Recognizing Stroke Data Privacy Day Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe Peacock Discount Dead Space Remake Mental Health Exercises
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Here Are 5 Simple Steps To Reduce Energy Bills
Don’t let high energy prices get you down. Try these tips to save cash as it gets colder.
This story is part of Home Tips, a collection of practical tips for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.
The temperature, and in some places the snow, is dropping, and we turn up our thermostats to compensate. However, many types of energy are expected to be more expensive this winter. some prices are rising faster than inflation. The Energy Information Administration predicts that heating your home with electricity could cost 10% more this year than last year, while natural gas (28%) and oil (27%) heating costs will also increase. That’s hundreds of dollars no matter how you slice it.
If those high prices start to strain your budget, you can start making changes to reduce the energy you use and lower your bill. Even small habits like unplugging unused appliances, washing clothes differently, cooking with some energy-saving appliances, or setting the thermostat to the right temperature can save a little money and make your home more efficient.
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Here are seven steps you can take to start saving on electricity, gas, water and cash. For more money-saving tips, see more about how to save money on your heating bill this winter, how to declutter your home to save on bills, and how much it will cost you to run your heater.
Many power companies offer free audits where they go through your home room by room and look at your electricity bills to help figure out where you’re wasting energy. You can follow their recommendations to help reduce your electricity bill.
Even if your electric company doesn’t provide this service, you can easily perform a DIY home energy audit using the instructions on the US Department of Energy website.
One of the simplest ways to lower your electricity bill is to adjust your thermostat. According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% on your heating and cooling costs by adjusting your
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