When dwelling on energy costs in the home, natural gas is often overshadowed by electricity as a more convenient and often less expensive fuel. The reality however, is that natural gas can be one of the most cost-effective methods of providing your home with needed energy, and can even save you over $800 on average compared to relying solely on electricity. For those living in the United States, natural gas is an abundant resource that is readily available, and when used correctly can save the homeowner a considerable amount of money compared to other energy sources. In this article, we will look at how natural gas can save you an average of over $800 a year in energy costs and how to go about utilizing it in your home.
Options for Home Heating
When it comes to home heating, there are many options, but one of the most popular is natural gas because it is available to over half of Americans and is a relatively inexpensive source. In many cases, natural gas costs have remained stable even after the recent increase in electricity costs.
The cost of natural gas also varies from region to region, as well as how much it is available in each location. Here are some examples of the national natural gas cost by state:
-South Dakota – $6.36/therm
-Virginia – $7.80/therm
-New Jersey – $9.42/therm
-Oregon – $17.48/therm
-Washington – $20.00/therm
As you can see, the average cost of natural gas varies greatly, depending on the state, but it is important to note that it is typically much lower than electricity costs. Natural gas can also be sometimes obtained through a joint effort between local utilities and energy providers, and in some cases, natural gas may even be provided for free.
Benefits of Natural Gas
One of the main benefits of using natural gas for your home’s energy needs is the amount of money that you can save. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average household consuming natural gas uses 687 therms of natural gas a year and spends roughly $783. On the other hand, the average household consuming electricity spends $1,437 a year. This means that natural gas use would save the average household $654 a year compared to electricity costs.
Not only does natural gas save money, but it also is a much cleaner burning fuel compared to electricity, which relies heavily on coal and other non-renewable sources. This means that most natural gas options are better for you and the environment than their electricity counterparts. Additionally, heating with natural gas releases fewer emissions into the air, especially those that contribute to air pollutants such as ozone and smog.
Another great advantage to using natural gas over electricity is the ease of installation. With natural gas, it only requires a few pipes connected to a gas main, and then usually a gas meter provided by your local energy utility. On the other hand, electricity requires much more complicated wiring and a professional electrician to wire it to your home. This can be a lengthy and expensive process, which makes natural gas much more attractive for new home heating projects.
How to Get Started
In order to get started with natural gas, the first step is to determine whether your home is connected to a gas main. If it is, it is easy to either contact your local energy provider or the gas utility to arrange for a natural gas line to be installed.
If you are building a new home, it is important to consider the use of natural gas for your energy needs from the beginning. There are many resources available to help find a qualified installer for your home in order to provide you with a professional installation that can help ensure a safe and efficient heating system.
To save money in the long run, it is important to choose the right equipment when installing a new heating system. Natural gas furnaces and boilers are not only energy efficient, but they also have much fewer moving parts than electric heaters, which means fewer repairs and replacements down the road. Natural gas also offers many energy efficient alternatives such as tankless water heaters that provide near-instantaneous hot water with minimal energy consumption. Tankless water heaters are a great way to save money and energy while still having access to a reliable source of hot water.
Final Thought
Natural gas is an efficient and cost-effective way to heat a home and save money on energy bills. Not only does natural gas provide access to a clean burning fuel that is more affordable than electricity, but it also enables the installation of more energy efficient appliances and systems. The advantages of using natural gas for home heating far outweigh the potential costs and, overall, can save the average household close to $800 a year. With a little bit of research, planning, and the right equipment, natural gas can be the perfect home heating solution and save you considerable money in the process.
If you are looking for an energy-efficient and cost-effective way to heat your home, natural gas is the best option. With the right installation, natural gas is a reliable and clean burning fuel that will provide your home with energy while saving you money in the long run. Not only that, but you will also be doing your part to reduce emissions and promoting a cleaner and healthier environment as well.
