Simple changes can cut cost, increase efficiency

With inflation at record-high levels, consumers are looking for ways to reduce everyday expenses. Households using natural gas for heating, cooking, and clothes drying are already recognizing significant savings – an average of $1,041 each year compared to homes using electricity for those applications, according to the American Gas Association (AGA). But a few simple changes can boost savings even more.

Increased heating effectiveness

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), cooling and heating account for about half of energy costs in the average home. Along with the use of clean and energy-efficient natural gas, households can save money with the following strategies:

• Set thermostats to 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. Every degree of extra heating or cooling will increase energy use by 6% to 8%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
• Install a programmable thermostat. The DOE advises that adjusting your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees during the workday when no one is home will save between 5% and 15% on annual
  energy costs.
• Pay attention to humidity levels as higher humidity will make a home feel warmer, leading consumers to set thermostats to a lower temperature during hot weather. To reduce humidity, the DOE recommends making sure clothes dryers, stove fans and bathroom fans are vented outside; venting them into an attic or basement only redistributes moisture and doesn’t eliminate extra humidity.
• Improve insulation and seal any air leaks. Add weatherstripping to drafty windows or replace them with new energy-efficient windows.
• Add a storm door to provide an extra layer of protection from weather year-round. The DOE reports a storm door can reduce energy loss by up to 50%.
• During warmer months, close blinds, shades and curtains on the sunny side of the home and open them during cooler months to take advantage of the natural warmth of the sun.

Boost appliance efficiency

Buy appliances with high Energy Star® ratings, which can reduce energy use by up to 50%. Other ways to boost the efficiency of appliances include:

• Opting for a tankless water heater, which is more efficient and tends to last longer than conventional storage water heaters.
• Washing clothes in cold water.
• Insulating water pipes. This will keep condensation from forming on cold water pipes, which contributes to extra humidity, and will prevent heat loss from hot water pipes to maximize hot
  water heating.

Don’t forget your gas utility

Homeowners can often get help with many of these strategies through their local gas utility, said Jake Rubin, senior director of public relations and executive communications for AGA. “Gas utilities invest $4.5 million every day in energy efficiency programs to help customers install tighter-fitting windows and doors, upgrade insulation and purchase increasingly more efficient natural gas appliances,” he said. “Contact your utility or go to their website to see how you can take advantage of these programs to help you save money by conserving energy.”

This article originally appeared in the Fall-Winter 2022 issue of Natural Living, and was written by Tonya McMurray. To read this article and more in this season’s edition of Natural Living, click here.