Tips On Keeping Warm Without Paying A Huge Gas Bill

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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) Before you tear open that December gas bill, prepare yourself. It could be double what it was last month.

With colder weather moving in again, natural gas companies caution it could further increase consumption, which has risen as temperatures have fallen this month.

Consumption is 97 percent higher than last month due to temperatures that have been 36 percent colder than average for the first half of December, said Becca Virden, a spokesperson for CenterPoint Energy. Were letting our customers know ahead of time so they can be prepared.

The change in consumption has pushed bills higher, even as the commodity price of natural gas has stayed steady, rising from $0.65 to $0.66 per therm in the past month, a negligible increase.

Three things impact customers bills: commodity prices, the economy and consumption, Virden said. The only significant one of those factors (that has changed) in the past month is consumption.

CenterPoint Energy is offering customers advice to cut down on their usage, recommending the following tips:

Furnace: A furnace is the largest natural gas consumer, and typically makes up about 70 percent of your natural gas bill.

Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees when youre home and 65 degrees when youre not. By lowering your thermostat 10 15 percent for eight hours a day, you can save up to 10 percent a year on your heating costs. Installing a programmable thermostat can help you automatically control your heat usage. Add on extra layers of clothing to keep warm.

Change your air filters monthly. A dirty filter restricts airflow and can increase the operating cost of your furnace by as much as 10 percent. A good reminder is to change the filter each time you receive your natural gas bill.

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Tips On Keeping Warm Without Paying A Huge Gas Bill