Natural gas is by far the most common form of heating used in modern houses, it is preferred by most homeowners for its efficiency, accessibility, and also because it costs less than oil or electric heat. A growing number of water heaters are being run by it as well, due to the considerable savings they offer over electric heaters. In order to ensure a lower natural gas bill New Jersey customers should try these handy tricks.
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.
Minimizing the use of bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans is advisable, as they remove heat along with moisture. When fireplaces are not being used, their dampers should be closed, since heat can easily escape up through the chimney. Doors to vacant rooms should be kept shut and the heating vent closed off.
The water heater's thermostat should be left at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Simply limiting one's use of hot water can also keep down the gas bill. This can be done by using cold water for laundry, installing low-flow shower-heads and taking showers instead of baths.
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.
Minimizing the use of bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans is advisable, as they remove heat along with moisture. When fireplaces are not being used, their dampers should be closed, since heat can easily escape up through the chimney. Doors to vacant rooms should be kept shut and the heating vent closed off.
The water heater's thermostat should be left at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Simply limiting one's use of hot water can also keep down the gas bill. This can be done by using cold water for laundry, installing low-flow shower-heads and taking showers instead of baths.
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