Over the last couple of years, the prices of gas and other energy sources had a pretty rough ride. And with all things going out in Europe and the rest of the world as well as one global pandemic behind us, these developments are perfectly understandable.
Be that as it may, CNBS reports that since last year, gas prices have soared by a staggering 50% which is something we need to take into account and, if possible, do our best to address.
Well, let us take a look then at some most effective strategies you can use to lower your natural gas bills and make your household more efficient.
Effective thermostat usage
In this regard, fending off enormous gas expenses is really no different from any additional energy conservation strategies. So, start by checking your thermostat and seeing if you can put it on energy-saving levels or drop the temperature even by a couple of degrees. These small adjustments can produce tremendous results if implemented consistently.
If your house heating system allows that, introducing some level of automation and smart tech always presents a good option. Devices that use IoT tech do a much better job at maintaining optimal efficiency than humans could ever hope to.
Insulate the house
The houses that are not properly insulated lose temperature much faster causing you to spend more gas as a result. If we take a look at some estimates, we will see that proper insulation can save your household as much as 70% of otherwise wasted energy. These numbers are very translatable to gas consumption as well.
So, before the fall and winter seasons come kicking in in full force consider installing good insulation that will keep your house cushioned in and protected. Also, be thorough and don’t miss areas like the roof and basement since they are as compromised as they are overlooked.
Trim down the heating intervals
One of the greatest benefits of using gas is that space heaters can be turned on and off according to current needs. And although this option often leads to over-indulgence, more responsible users can use it to make their bills more manageable. So, try to leverage natural sunlight in combination with insulation and double-glazed windows to reduce consumption during the daytime.
When the sun sets you can heat only the rooms that are currently occupied. If you are spending time alone in a smaller room, electrical heaters may prove to be a more economical solution, at least in short bursts.
Keep your gas infrastructure in pristine shape
This is especially important in countries like Australia where gas prices tend to go through frequent fluctuations. Making sure your in-house infrastructure is regularly serviced and doesn’t waste any of the fuel will give you some much-needed stability that will offset sudden price spikes. Be sure to hire regular maintenance services that lay down these foundations.
If you can’t find the niche gas fitting services, you can easily reach out to a professional plumber from North Brisbane or some other area to see that through. Even if they don’t feel the same, these fields of work are very similar.
Move furniture away from the radiator
First and foremost, this strategy will drastically reduce the fire hazard in your home which is a thing you should always keep in the back of your mind. But, even if we put this thing aside, we would like to remind you that efficient heating depends on seamless airflow.
Keeping your furniture too close to heaters, especially the bigger pieces like sofas and armchairs will undermine their ability to work effectively. So, even though the exact numbers may vary depending on the room and the very radiator, a rule of thumb says that heaters should have at least six inches of free space around them.
Change the wintertime home habits
And for the very end, we would like to point out that energy and gas preservation during cold winter months doesn’t even have to include some major household renovations or any sort of investments. You can make very tangible improvements even by simply changing your daily habits. For instance, don’t leave the doors and windows open for too long.
If it’s cold outside, don’t walk into your house in a T-shirt and put on some real clothes. Try to avoid wearing too many layers since that entails more washing and more frequent drying. Simple tricks like these can move mountains in terms of energy preservation.
We hope these couple of considerations will give you a better idea about the strategies you can use to make your energy and gas bills more manageable during colder months. Be sure to implement as many of them as possible or even use them to come up with your own energy-saving measures.
The most important thing to realize is that even though the gas price may be on the rise, we are far from helpless against these sudden tides. So, stay vigilant and keep these issues at bay.
