Five Tips to Save with Rising Natural Gas Rates
If you thought this summer had been a rocky enough period for energy shopping, well, it ain’t over yet folks! As is to be expected after a tempestuous and toasty summer for the markets, the dominoes keep on falling. Natural gas rates could rise by as much as 25% this winter. For that reason, much of the country will see higher electric bills. And with about half of Americans using gas for heating, you’ll really want to be scrimping and saving on energy this season. Even if you’ve got a cheap electricity rate! But there’s no need to go full Ebeneezer Scrooge. Here’s five easy tips to save this Winter – in spite of the rising natural gas rates!
Get your Bulbs in Order!
The Energy Information Administration estimates about 10% of your electric tab goes on lighting your home. And whilst we’re not suggesting you start huddling around candles, there are ways of substantially cutting down your lighting bill. Sleuth out your bulbs that use the most energy. Start with those old incandescents. Then, swap them out for ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs, which nibble about 90% less power – and last 15 times longer.
Thermostats Control Natural Gas Usage Rates
Most homes in New Jersey heat with natural gas. So, if you can knock a degree or two off of your thermostat, you can save a bunch! This is age-old advice, but with the NOAA predicting an especially mild winter for NJ, you might be surprised how low you can push it this year. Remember, each degree you cut can knock up to 3% off your bill!
Don’t Underestimate your Drapes!
Drapes and curtains are one of the oldest tricks in the book when it comes to fighting off cold. And you don’t need to get fancy about it. Your average common drapes can help reduce heat loss by up to 10% when drawn overnight. For best results, make sure they’re hung snug up against the wall.
Dust off your Ceiling Fan!
This one’s a neat hack not all folks are clued up on. Hot air naturally rises, so a lot of it’s going to gather at the ceiling level. And if you put your ceiling fan’s motor in reverse, at low speed, the angle of the blades will circulate that warm air back down to where you want it. If you feel warmer, you won’t be tempted to dial up your furnace.
Cook Smart!
Cooking eats up about 5% of the energy used in the average home. So if you’ve got a gas oven, this is a great opportunity to get nifty with your habits! Avoid opening the oven door unless absolutely necessary. And show a bit of love to smaller appliances like toaster ovens, microwaves, and warming plates. They’re way more energy efficient, and hey – what’s more winter-warming than a grilled cheese?
Save on your NJ Natural Gas Rates Today!
So with natural gas rates rising, NJ shoppers need to up their home energy saving game. The good news is, there’s plenty you can do on the cheap. Give these five tips a spin for starters. And remember, whilst NJ natural gas rates could climb by 25% this winter, you can always lock in a cheap electric rate at www.NJEnergyRatings.com!