30 Ways to Cut the Cost of Living: Natural Gas Bill

#13: Cut back on your natural gas bill.

Here are a few tips that have helped our family reduce our natural gas bill.

• Make sure you are getting the best rate. If you have competing natural gas companies in your area, do a price comparison to make sure you are getting the best possible rate.  Be sure to take budget plans, fixed vs. flexible rates, service contracts, etc. into consideration.

• A good portion of your natural gas bill goes to heating water.  Monitor your hot water usage by doing the following:

• • Shorten your showers and save hundreds of gallons of hot water over the course of a year.
  • Wash laundry in cold or warm water.
  • Always run full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher.

• Miscellaneous tips:
  • Lower your water heater’s temperature to 120°, and switch to “vacation” when you are away.
  • Don’t adjust your thermostat setting more than 10°. This will prevent the system from overworking and thus increasing your bill.
  • Don’t block heating registers and air returns. Rearrange furniture or shorten draperies if needed.
  • Cover bare floors.
  • Dress warmly: use layers.
  • Open curtains and shades to let in sunshine.
  • If you have a gas stove, heat water for tea in the microwave.

————————————————————————————————————————————-

Enjoying this series?  Subscribe for my free daily updates so you don’t miss anything!

Be sure to check out my previous posts on eating out, family fun, haircuts,  gift-giving, babysitting, groceries, cosmetics, and electric bills.