How to Handle Winter Natural Gas Price Increase
Grab an extra blanket…toss another log on the fire, grab that hot cocoa. Winter is here and the price of energy rose by 108%. Natural gas prices are through the roof!
Most recently, oil prices are surging above $100 a barrel which is the highest price since 2014. This is bad news for your heating bill, as prices will likely keep climbing. Meanwhile, electricity costs in New England continue to trend upward.
It’s no secret that this winter has been COLD. We are already into the predicted Farmer’s Almanac, the season of shivers and National Grid announced a rate increase on September 1, 2021. Each month they kept rising and from September 1 to December 1, the overall therm rate increase is 108% …crazy! Please read below.
Here are actual bills showing the National Grid energy bill increase starting at 22%. “For gas consumption from September 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021, the Gas Supply Charge has increased from last month’s charge of $.3895 per therm to $.4758 per therm.”
Then the November bill increased by 71%! “For gas consumption from November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022 the Gas Supply Charge has increased from last month’s (October 2021) charge of $.44758 per therm to $.7282 per therm.”
Then I opened my National Grid December bill this morning thinking it can’t get any worse and increased again! If you start with the original therm rate of .3895 with the last therm rate for December’s invoice of .8114 that is an overall 108% rate increase. No wonder they keep this in fine print but I am sure you are all feeling it when you see your bill!
Winter Weather Prediction
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Winter Outlook for 2021-2022 is forecasting that temperatures will be colder along with three winter whopper snowstorms heading our way! We’ve already experienced 2 out of 3 as of February 2022.
What Can I Do To Keep My Energy Bills Low?
With national gas prices going up, it is more important than ever to consider the energy efficiency of your home. This means paying attention to every detail from the thermostat to your home’s thermal envelope. If you are concerned about the natural gas prices increasing, the following advice can help lessen the blow.
Perhaps even more importantly, how do you ensure that your home stays warm this winter season—which is projected to be one of the longest and coldest that New England has seen in years? The key to handling electricity and natural gas bills is by conserving heat. While it will cost more to use natural gas and electricity, keeping the heat contained inside your home can make a world of difference.
Basic Steps to Lowering Winter Energy Costs While Energy Bills Are Skyrocketing over 63% Increase!
Natural Gas Prices Going up: Tackling the INTERIOR
- Perform a no-cost home energy audit to determine where heat is lost. This is provided for free from our partner at HomeWorks Energy.
- Lower the thermostat temperature. Taking the temperature down by 10 degrees can save roughly 10% on your heating bills.
- Upgrade to a smart thermostat and keep it set between 58 to 62 degrees F when you are sleeping or not at home.
- Check the seals around your doors and windows tightly closed and use weather stripping. This is important to prevent heat from escaping.
- Upgrade to a smart thermostat and keep it set between 58 to 62 degrees F when you
EXTERIORS
Install Energy Efficient Replacement Windows
Did you know that drafty windows lose up to 40% of your home’s energy?
Make Sure Your Windows Have:
- Fill the space between double and triple pane gas with argon or krypton insulating gases. Their purpose is to reduce heat transfer during the winter.
- Choose windows with low-e application, which allows the sun to naturally heat your home during the winter.
- Your windows should have premium precision-engineered triple weatherstripping that’s designed to reduce drafts more efficiently.
- Your windows should be engineered with the best air infiltration. Choose new windows with a low air infiltration rating for creating an airtight seal. Our windows are rated .01 CFM, making them 23 times more airtight than the industry average.
- Incorrect installation can lead to drafts without making a difference in winter heating bills. Hire a professional licensed window contractor.
- Fusion-welded corners create an impermeable barrier against the elements, eliminating both water and air infiltration.
An Energy Crisis is Happening NOW with National Gas Prices Going Up: Book Today for New Windows to Save Money on Energy Bills
Choose an Insulating Entry Door
Worried about natural gas prices going up? Try this. Entry doors are similar to windows in terms that a tight seal is needed. This is because a drafty door allows energy to escape much faster than you think. If you have a 1/8th-inch gap under a 36-inch exterior door, it’s the same as having a 2.4-inch diameter hole punched in your wall!
- Efficient doors need a polyurethane foam core which provides higher insulating power and R-value, all while acting as a barrier to air and moisture.
- Reduce drafts with Q-Lon weatherstripping interlock to a nearly non-existent level.
- Front doors with windows or sidelites should contain high-performance window trim to block out drafts.
- Hire a licensed and bonded installer to ensure proper installation & peak performance through the winter months.
Keep Your Home Cozy with Insulated Vinyl Siding
Like a warm blanket wrapped around your exterior, insulated vinyl siding will reduce heat transfer through the winter months. Heat tries to escape through the walls via the wood studs of the exterior. This process is blocked when insulated vinyl siding is installed, leaving you with a warmer and more energy-efficient home.
For extra protection against the elements, your siding should also include house wrap. It keeps moisture out of your home in all forms including snow. In addition to providing superior weatherization, it serves as another layer for reducing drafts.
- Most exterior walls provide insulation between the wall studs, but energy is lost through the studs themselves. Wood and metal wall studs are poor insulators.
- Insulated vinyl siding blocks heat loss during the winter months which stops thermal bridging—not allowing heat to pass through the studs.
- Vinyl siding with rigid foam insulation blankets the home’s exterior, with the foam permanently attached to the panel.
- The foam insulation increases the overall R-value of the exterior wall, ensuring exceptional insulation during the coldest months.
- House wrap is an additional layer to your siding project, serving as an essential element material to weatherize your home. Bonus: it fights against mold, too!
- House wrap also serves as another layer for keeping out drafts and serving as a barrier against energy loss.
Regulate Indoor Temperatures with Roofing
Did you know that roofing is an important component for home performance and comfort? A new roof brings a new level of protection to your home and family.
- Roofing helps regulate indoor temperature with proper ventilation through the winter months, balancing and regulating room temperatures where you spend the most amount of time.
- New roofing ensures the attic space remains close to the outdoor temperature, even in the winter. If the attic space gets too hot, ice dams will form which will damage the roof.
- The key is for roof ventilation in areas such as soffit vents and gable vents. Both intake vents and outtake vents are necessary to keep energy bills in control.
- If there are problems such as holes or cracks in your current roof, this will allow energy to escape and become very costly through the winter months. A new roof will shield your family from the elements while preventing heat loss.
- Professional roof installation ensures that your new upgrade will perform for life
Natural Gas Prices Are Going Up by 108%: Act Now to Keep Energy Bills in Control This Winter!
We can’t control natural gas or the electricity price spike but we can act now to improve your home’s thermal envelope and prevent energy loss. You’ll also enjoy a warm and comfortable home for many, many winters to come! Contact us now for a free quote by clicking here.
